I AM writing through the courtesy of your column to express my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to all the staff of accident and emergency at Salisbury District Hospital.

Yesterday I spent 11 hours being checked, after a blackout and sustaining a number of facial fractures, by various consultants, junior doctors and nurses.

Nothing was too much trouble not only in A&E but in the scanner room, the eye clinic, the facial department and the short-stay ward.

All seemed to exude great warmth, consideration and understanding.

I was hugely impressed by all who offered the most assiduous care and expertise. How lucky we are to have such men and women serving our needs when we need them most.

A very heartfelt thank you to all.

JOHN REYNOLDS Romsey