There is still so much criticism about hospitals and especially elderly people, that I think should write to tell the truth about my experiences.

In January I had to sit up all night because I couldn’t breathe lying down. I’d had my inhaler changed two days earlier so I rang my surgery at Wyke to find out if this was the problem.

They said they’d ring me back, this was 08.30hrs – they did ring back within minutes and the voice said ‘the paramedics are on their way’. I didn’t understand!

However, they were with me dead on 0900hrs. They gave me the option of staying at home or going to hospital – I said I would be ok. They said (there were three of them) that they thought I ought to be in hospital.

By 10.00am I was in Dorchester hospital A+E, where I stayed until 2100hr, having up to five doctors who virtually saved my life. I was admitted and spent two weeks there with Bronchial Pneumonia – I had just had my 92nd birthday.

So an enormous Thank You to all those wonderful people who got me through a very difficult period and for a hospital second to none.

Jean Rawson

Belle Vue Rd

Weymouth