PAY the NHS staff compliments for a job well done.

We should all be aware by now that political pressures from the Ministry of Health have drastically reduced funding for all aspects of health care, from GP services to A&E waiting times to extended waits for elective surgery.

The newspapers are constantly full of examples from poor service, to rude and non-caring staff to inadequate meals.

More than 1 million people each week have contact with the NHS. There is a system for complaints which is complicated and Southampton City CCG has recently acted to make complaining easier.

But let’s not forget that the NHS has 1.4 million employees and is one of the largest employers in the world, providing free service to all at the point of access..

The staff of the NHS, from doctors and nurses to cleaners and ambulance drivers, are overworked in the current climate.

Daily they face long shifts, no salary increments for several years and little or no respect from the general public. Most of them are doing their best under the most difficult circumstances.

Spare a thought therefore after your next interaction with the NHS at any level. Complaining about poor service and treatment is easy. It’s much more difficult to take the extra time and say thank you when you have been treated well by a nurse, a doctor, ambulance crew, paramedic or day carer.

Remember how you feel when someone tells you ‘job well done’. Most NHS staff really do care and are doing their best.

Say thank you when you can.

JOHN CHANDLER, Southampton.