All too often I have heard people ready to slate and run the John Radcliffe down.

Well, I’m here to say that without them a couple of weeks ago my four-year-old granddaughter wouldn’t be here today.

She was minutes away from a dangerous coma when admitted by ambulance on the August 29 with life-threatening symptoms which turned out to be a serious form of meningitis. However, with the skill and dedication of the doctors and nurses that acted so quickly in her very best interests they saved the little girl’s life.

We thanked them at the time which didn’t seem enough. They go above and beyond the call of duty even to the extent of one of the intensive care nurses (paediatric high dependency unit) staying behind after her shift had finished because she had been looking after my granddaughter, and because she was having an uncomfortable and distressing procedure, decided to be with her. That’s the care and dedication that each and everyone of them showed.

I just felt I had to write this to say thank you as I myself have had surgery at the hospital. They have had my life in their hands and I cannot and will not fault them. Where would we be without them? We are so so fortunate to be so close to one of the very best hospitals there is.

So a big thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the consultant, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the children’s hospital Bellhouse ward staff. Thanks to all of you she is continuing to make a full recovery.

A J Green, Farmer Place, New Marston, Oxford