IT is often much criticised but, in our hour of need, the NHS services did not let our mother or us down.

The ambulance arrived quickly, she was assessed and taken to the A&E department at the County Hospital. On arrival they put her on treatment straight away, no waiting. She was then admitted to the A&E admissions ward, where she received excellent care from the doctors. But for the family, it was the care, concern and compassion our mother received and which was also shown to ourselves from the nurses over all the shifts throughout the 24-hour periods that has made our sad loss more bearable.

Thank you nurses and the admissions ward on behalf of the late Hilda Watkins.

BRIAN AND ANNE WATKINS, How Caple, Hereford.

JAMES WATKINS, Holme Lacy, Hereford.