HAVING just read your cover story, ‘The hospital care I had was appalling’, I felt compelled to write to you in the hope that you will put across another side to the story.

I am a student nurse. My most recent placement was at the Worcestershire Royal hospital, quite possibly the same ward to which Miss Stimson was admitted.

During this placement I was privileged enough to work along side one of the most caring and professional medical teams I have come across.

Under tight budgets, facing staffing issues and with demoralisation from local media this team should be commended for their professional attitude and patient centred care.

It seems unfortunate that despite hundreds of heartfelt thank yous and positive stories from patients who have recieved the best possible level care, the media always want to portray our NHS in a bad light.

I came into this profession hoping to make a difference, having read the horror stories I expected to find working in hospital an unpleasant experience, but it is far from that.

Yes patients are declared ‘nil by mouth’ for long periods of time, but that is because the results of the scan would be inaccurate if the patients eats prior to the scan.

Yes there are at times long waiting times for scans, due to high volumes of patients requiring them, but is that the fault of the nursing teams?

I honestly believe that our NHS is one that we can be proud of, all the medical staff I have met have done their utmost to keep patients informed of their progress, answer any questions they have and make their stay as comfortable as possible.

NAME SUPPLIED