THE NHS for all its problems is a wonderful thing.

The knowledge that should you fall ill, no matter how seriously, there are caring doctors and nurses waiting to help you is very reassuring.

Sometimes it is easy to take this wonderful service for granted.

After all, with it being launched in 1948, most people cannot remember a time when the NHS and free treatment was not available.

But you just have to look abroad to countries where people cannot actually afford medical help, and everyone else pays for costly medical insurance, to realise just how good we have it.

And the best bit about the NHS is undoubtedly the staff who are its heart and soul, but too often don’t get the recognition they deserve.

That is why it is so important to hold events like East Lancashire Hospitals Trust’s Star awards.

With categories such as unsung hero, compassionate care, rising star and volunteer of the year, those who go above and beyond are given a public pat on the back.

In the past year our hospitals have come a long way since the dark days of being placed in special measures.

And its thanks to the staff’s efforts that improvements are being made across all areas.