"Emergency on sailing holiday"

I was taken ill to the point of collapse in Salcombe with what proved to be cellulitis of my left leg resulting from a relatively small wound inflicted six weeks previously. I was taken by water taxi, then taxi, to the local health centre where I was given a number of preliminary examinations by the doctor, who called an ambulance from Derriford Hospital. The doctor set up a drip for me in the ambulance before it left for Plymouth. Excellent and efficient service from all at what I believe is Redfern Health Centre. I have only a fairly hazy recollection of my passage from A&E to the Medical Assessment Ward, save to say I was accorded the wonderful care that I found to be the norm at Derriford. I responded well to the intravenous antibiotic, and my chest was X-rayed, my heart valves scanned, and my tibia also radiographed in case of osteomyelitis. My consultant at this stage in the short stay ward took great pains to explain the rationale of their prescribed treatment as it progressed. The consultant was brilliant, as were the doctors and consultants seen earlier, and the teams of nurses and other supporting staff who looked after me. Thank you all so much, and thank heavens for the NHS.