13th January:

You have to feel sorry for front-line staff working in the NHS. Every time the NHS appears in the news it seems to be because of some crisis, cock-up or strike/wages/management related calamity. As well as being pretty demoralising for staff, the way the NHS is talked about in the media must also surely give the public an impression that the service is, generally speaking, a bit shoddy. And that is being polite.

However, anyone holding this impression tends to throw it right out the window as soon as they actually come into contact with the pointy-end of our National Health Service during a time of accident, illness or trauma. Only then do we really see first-hand that the service is staffed by extremely caring, hard-working and dedicated people. Yes, they may work in far-from-perfect conditions and yes, they may be a bit of a political football, but your congenial host has this week experienced the kindness and compassion of doctors, nurses and widwives, and is extremely grateful to these people, many of whom went far beyond the call of duty in looking after the two most important women in his world.

I am humbled by their efforts and salute them for the wonderful work they do every day.