"Helpful, respectful staff."

The NHS has received a lot of bad press of late.

I am a 72 year old pensioner and I had a painful corn on the ball of my foot and as I am diabetic I cannot use corn plasters so a visit to the NHS Podiatry Clinic at Skipton General was necessary.

After a three day wait for an appointment the corn was removed, this podiatrist always has a thorough examination of both feet and legs and this time noticed a sore area of skin which does not heal.

I was told to make an appointment to see the practice nurse at my health centre (Crosshills) to have it checked.

The following day two nurses said I needed to see a GP and I saw one the next day who referred me to St. Luke's Hospital in Bradford.

A fast track appointment was made and I arrived at St. Luke’s eight days after my initial podiatry appointment.

I saw a consultant who recommended a biopsy which could be done with a local anaesthetic while I was there.

A surgeon took the sample and stitched me up and a nurse bandaged the area and instructed me on care of the wound and I was back home for lunch.

At the moment the National Health Service is never out of the bad news section of the media.

In eight days I was seen by a podiatrist, two practice nurses, a G.P., a consultant dermatologist and a surgeon.

At no time did I have to wait longer than 15 minutes for my appointment.

I was treated with respect and understanding by everyone I saw and regardless of the results of the biopsy I will be thankful for the amazing NHS we have which is the envy of the world and used by all our political parties as a point scoring football.