FROM favourable experiences with Blackheath Hospital and from unfavourable press reviews of Queen Mary's, I was anxious when I was given the appointment to attend the day care centre at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.

I was fully expecting to go in with a minor problem and leave with a major one.

The instructive paperwork I received beforehand did little to reassure me.

This, I assumed, was the administration's preoccupation with getting the paperwork correct at the expense of health care.

Armed with a carrier bag containing dressing gown and slippers, as requested, I entered the day care centre to be greeted with a clean modern building and a friendly receptionist who directed me to the waiting area opposite.

After a very short delay, I was summoned by a pleasant and knowledgeable nurse who led me to a private cubicle to discuss my forthcoming minor op.

Having answered all my concerns, she helped me don a sexy backless gown and my dressing gown and led me to a modern, clean and bright holding area.

Again, after a short time, I was led to the operating theatre where the competent consultant introduced himself and explained exactly what he would be doing.

The nursing staff were exemplary and I had confidence I was in the best possible hands.

Watching the operation on the monitor seemed a little surreal as if I was watching an episode of Casualty.

The main aspect which impressed me was the obvious skill of the consultant.

As usually happens when I watch an episode of Casualty, I fell asleep and probably missed the best part.

However, after the operation, I was taken to the aftercare room and given a sandwich and a cup of tea.

As I hadn't had anything to eat for two days before the operation, the cottage cheese sandwich seemed like the best I had ever tasted.

In the after-care area, I also witnessed nurses taking great care cleaning and disinfecting used beds.

My fears of MRSA were immediately dispelled.

I left the day care centre at Queen Mary's with completely the opposite view to when I entered.

The care I had received had been absolutely faultless, the staff were brilliant and, given the choice of private or NHS, I would choose Queen Mary's every time.

ROBERT FALCONER
Bexley