IN answer to your article re Gallstones and Lymington Hospital, in the Daily Echo The Choice is Yours page. I recently went into Lymington Hospital to have my gall-bladder removed, and here is an answer for you.

My Doctor referred me to the hospital after an Ultrasound scan, which showed that I had two large gallstones.

Well within the given time scale, I saw the Consultant at Lymington Hospital, who agreed that I should be admitted to have them removed, the time factor being 16-20 weeks. I only waited about 10-12 weeks for the operation.

I was admitted into the hospital at 12noon, and I was amazed that I had my own room with an ensuite, a lovely view of the New Forest, and saw little rabbits and birds from my window. My husband and daughter stayed with me until I went to theatre at 3.30pm, and were still there when I returned to my room at 5.15pm after my operation. They also allowed our son and daughter to visit me as well in the evening. It is usually a day procedure, but being that I am not '21' anymore, they allowed me to stay overnight.

The meals menu had a lovely selection and was well presented. The same food was served in their café as well, and my family were very happy with all they ate.

The hospital is spotless, they have ladies at the door, encouraging people to put the antiseptic jell on their hands, and will direct or show you where to go for your appointment etc.

By the time I had waited for my medication, before I came home the staff had stripped my bed and prepared it for the next patient, clean bed, floor washed etc. The staff were wiping the floors and hand rails in the corridors before 6am, and on other visits to the hospital we saw staff washing doors walls, skirting etc.

I was very impressed with everything. All the staff, in every department were so friendly, and the nurses couldn't do enough for their patients. A big thank you to them all.

Dorothy Parks, Dibden.