Recently, I had to spend five days in hospital for the first time in my life - I'm coming up to 80.

I fell ill on a Sunday. On Monday morning, my daughter rang Portslade Health Centre and Dr Pring arrived on her rounds at 1.15pm.

At 1.25pm an ambulance arrived and by 2pm I was in A&E at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. I was placed in a bed and made comfortable.

I said to a nurse I thought I would be put on a trolley and she said: "You are on a trolley, although I would call it a bed on wheels."

Within the hour I was seen by a doctor, who suggested Xrays. I was moved to level nine at 6pm that evening.

Later, I couldn't. sleep because I was apprehensive. I'm glad I was awake for a while because I was able to see the dedication of the night staff.

During Tuesday morning, I was taken for an X-ray. On Wednesday morning, I had a minute camera lowered into my stomach to discover the problem.

The verdict was bacterial infection of the stomach lining - a bleeding ulcer. I was returned to the ward for three pints of blood and 72 hours later was on another type of drip.

Back on food, I was served breakfast, hot lunch and hot supper. The tea lady came round three times a day, as did the paper man.

I was allowed home on Saturday morning and the rest of the treatment can be carried on with tablets.

Many thanks to all my family, including three grandchildren, and many thanks to my neighbours, friends and all my visitors.

So, stop knocking the NHS and get behind and support the dedicated team at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, from the ambulance staff and porters to the very top.

-Paul Martin, Portslade