I MUST join the ranks of those who praise the York District Hospital for the care they have received there.

I returned home this week after 12 days on Ward 26 and I cannot thank them enough for their kindness and care during my stay.

From the surgeon and his team, the sister and her staff, to those who cooked and served meals and kept the ward so sparklingly clean, the care was outstanding.

The National Health Service comes in for a lot of criticism.

But I think we really ought to appreciate how lucky we are to have such expertise and commitment to help us when we are in need.

Jean Gargan,

Foxwood Lane,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 10:23 Friday, September 06, 2002