It is always uplifiting to read positive experiences of local hospitals (Oxford Mail, October 23). Our hospitals are excellent”.

Criticism by so-called whingers is also important in gaining a view of the treatment that can go wrong. Correspondents hardly inform of poor service for the sake of it.

Training for ‘frontline’ medical staff is geared for near perfection, regularly updated and there is little margin for complaint, if you suffer immediate life-threatening accident or ailment anywhere in the country exemplary attention will ensue, particularly around the John Radcliffe.

Problems can occur where some units are not properly equipped for long-term patient care.

This happened to my Uncle George.

He endured four months hospital admission, two knee replacement operations and then an unexpected infection killed him just before hospital discharge.

Apart from the grief caused (which might have been avoided) there is the thought of how much operations and subsequent care had cost us (the NHS).

It must run into many thousands. What is the point of surgeons’ sterling work if not supported by the best post-operative care?

Criticism should be encouraged.

How else do we expect the NHS to rectify weaknesses?

Working for the NHS and attending demanding training sessions for frontline staff, I learned our role is based on teamwork with three Ps: 1. Preserve life 2. Prevent further injury 3. Promote recovery.

If everyone involved, concerned or employed with our health service vigorously adopted at least number 3, there would be a vast reduction in adverse comment with an upsurge of letters like Ken Jones to these pages.

Alan Kerry, Cowley Road, Littlemore, Oxford