ON Easter Sunday I had the phone call that everyone dreads, from my Mum to say that my Dad was very ill and was in Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn.

Mum and Dad had already spent some time there on previous occasions and I was able to be with my Mum at my Dad's bedside over the next two days.

It was clear that Dad was very poorly and the staff answered our questions with honesty and compassion. They gave us time to to be with dad whilst still giving him all the care and attention he needed during his last few days. Mum and Dad had clearly built up good relationships with several of the staff over a period of time and I was made to feel very welcome and supported too.

Dad died peacefully during the night of April 13 and my mum was informed by someone she knew and who had been involved caring for Dad.

We returned to the D3 ward the next morning where we spent some time with several of the staff, and were given all the information they had regarding my dad's death. Mum and I felt comfortable enough to be able to ask questions without ever feeling that we were being rushed through the process.

We all see and hear so much negative press about the National Health Service these days and as a nation we are often much quicker to complain than to give thanks.

Therefore I have written to pass on our most sincere thanks to all the staff on D3 ward for their very high standard of care, that I do not believe could have been exceeded in any way.

SUE LEATHLEY (Daughter of Derek Ankers), Helston, Cornwall.