I HAVE recently had an eye operation on the NHS at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and would like to offer my sincere thanks to Mr Ragheeb and his team and all the nursing staff on Ward 12.

The operation on my eye was not straightforward but was performed with the utmost professionalism by the surgeon and I was given the highest level of care by his dedicated support team throughout and later by the nursing staff on Ward 12.

The result is that I am now able to see clearly in the eye for the first time in 30 years.

We hear so much criticism of our National Health Service in the media that I feel I should put the record straight.

In my experience all who work within the service are extremely dedicated, well trained and professional in dealings with patients.

However, nursing staff often have to work under extreme difficulties and the amount of paperwork required now takes up so much of their time that many feel unable to give the time they would wish to looking after their patients.

I spoke to three nurses during my stay who, after many years of NHS service, were considering resigning due to the amount of form filling and targets they were now expected to cope with.

Surely, with all the money that has been poured into the National Health Service over recent years conditions should have improved for the front line staff, without whom the NHS could not operate.

FRED MILLIGAN, The Sands, Whalley.