I WOULD like to strongly support the views expressed by Dennis Barton (Let's count our health blessings, Letters, May 19).

I have had three stays in hospital since last summer, all of which were emergency admissions and afforded me a look each time at the "sharp end" of the work of York Hospital.

I feel absolutely certain that we can repose the highest confidence in the goodwill and hard work of all the staff of York Hospital - and most definitely so in all the different wards I have stayed in over my recent total of 17 days in hospital.

Even in York it may sometimes be the case that people feel inclined to carp about the service that they are receiving in hospital, for the basic reason that they are not feeling well and find the situation unfamiliar and threatening.

It has never been the case during my three recent stays in hospital, nor during the many visits to the hospital during the last illness of my late wife five years ago that such a response could be justified by any shortcoming on the part of hospital staff.

Undoubtedly, sad events do occur in any hospital, when those who try to give care and support to people in need have to apologise because something has inadvertently occurred which should not and was not intended.

I am quite sure, however, that we can all sleep easy in York, secure in the knowledge that those who take care of us when needed, day or night, in emergency or by appointment are working calmly and efficiently at a very demanding job and are very frequently and willingly doing so above and beyond the call of duty.

David Livesley, The Orchard, Bishopthorpe, York.