Letter to the editor: I would like to take the opportunity to highlight the wonderful care the staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, give to their patients.

My grandmother was rushed into hospital 10 weeks ago.

She was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to the intensive care unit.

From the moment the ambulance picked my grandmother up, she has received faultless care from the all the staff at the hospital.

The current trend in the wider media is to criticise and condemn the NHS and all the staff trying to do an almost impossible job.

The fact the staff at the hospital still see their ‘job’ as a vocation is probably the only thing keeping it running.

The doctors and nurses in the intensive care unit were the most dedicated team I have seen.

From the consultant who was working a double shift, to the nurse who sat with my grandmother holding her hand because she was scared she was going to die, they all went above and beyond in my opinion.

The nurses who staff the intensive care unit work 12-and-a-half hour shifts and all choose to work in this demanding part of the hospital.

Putting their own exhaustion aside, they were always available whenever I or another member of my family wished to ask questions.

They even took the time to call my grandfather and give him regular updates.

When my grandmother was placed onto a normal ward the staff were just as impeccable.

While visiting this ward it was clear to see the nurses were fighting a losing battle due to not having enough staff.

One afternoon there was one nurse in charge of looking after eight patients.

Despite being so outnumbered, patients were given as much care as possible.

It is only the government’s luck the staff in our hospitals work themselves into the ground to care for their fellow human beings.

I fear for these wonderful people, as I cannot see how they can continue such a gruelling schedule without becoming patients themselves.

ROBERT GAVIN, address supplied