"I feel humbled by the kindness shown"

I was treated for bowel cancer at Worcester Royal Hospital between late October and early November 2014 after prior visits to The Alexandra and Kidderminster Hospitals and the Bowel Cancer Unit in Bromsgrove beforehand.

I remain infinitely grateful to all the many scores of staff who attended to me during and after diagnosis and, subsequently, looked after me during my treatment in The Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcester Royal hospitals.

At all times, everyone I saw, without exception, treated me with the greatest respect, compassion and good humour. I received sympathy and frank information in exactly the right proportions for me to understand my condition and also to have great confidence that I was in good hands. I feel supremely fortunate to be so privileged. The personal commitment of the staff I met, frequently working under pressure uncomplainingly, can only be described as over and above any standard that might reasonably be expected. I feel humbled by the kindness shown to me and by the supreme skills that were made available for me.

I hope that this gratitude can be made available to all those who deserve it. To all staff, at every level, I give my grateful thanks. I know so few of their names but I was a week in Beech Ward B at Worcester and the staff there together with their surgical colleagues and the staff of the Bromsgrove Bowel Cancer Unit provided skills and kindness for which I shall always be grateful.