HAVING been discharged from hospital last Monday, I read Joan Jarvis' letter with great interest and agree with her except for on two issues.

These are her comment that everyone is feeling the pinch and that nurses today have a less caring attitude than they did when she was a nurse.

Are bankers, politicians, directors of big companies, so-called celebrities, or footballers – I could go on – feeling the pinch? No, they are not.

Not all of these people have their noses in the money trough – but my word, a lot of them appear to.

Joan, I can assure you that the vast majority of today’s nurses are just as caring as you obviously were when you at Warrington Hospital, which has become almost like my second home since 2001 when I was admitted, aged 51, suffering from an irregular heartbeat, a condition known as AF.

I was diagnosed with cellulitis in 2004 which meant that I had to have a week's course of antibiotics, during which time it went away.

I have also had both hips replaced, a hernia repaired, and a minor stroke.

However, the cellulitis came back in July and would not clear due to my heart condition. My right leg became massive.

I was admitted to hospital on October 20 when I weighed 97kg.

My weight on discharge was 90kg — but I was eating like a horse so the lost 7kg was the fluid that was in my leg.

I spent the last five days this time in the raucous care of ward C22 in the Croft wing, where I am convinced that the staff are not interviewed but auditioned for their positions.

I have never laughed so much — but they say that laughter is the best form of medicine and I overdosed on it in C22.

The care and assistance that I received was wonderful, with people doing things for me which were well beyond their job descriptions.

Joan, I really want you to see this letter. I could not find you in the local phone book but I think I know who you are.

I also live in Culcheth – Culcheth Hall Drive – and my phone number is there for the all the Joan Jarvises from Culcheth to ring if they so wish.

If you do not ring I will understand totally – but I do hope you do.

MARTIN SHACKLADY Culcheth