JUST the other day I had the most bizarre and disorientating ride to Dorchester I have ever encountered.

I was travelling backwards in the rear of an ambulance having a little lie down on a stretcher.

The view through the tiny window was most strange; I really couldn’t work out where I was.

The reason for this rather disconcerting journey was that I had been the victim of an accident and had received a rather large laceration to the old bonce.

No, I hadn’t had a drop, but I was spilling rather large quantities of a somewhat less attractive fluid than I am used to having set before me.

Of late, I am sure that we have all read a lot about the Dorset County Hospital.

Well, let me assure you that I doubt that it is possible to receive better, more helpful and courteous treatment than I was given in the Accident and Emergency department.

I cannot praise their service too highly. Excellent is the only word that even begins to do it justice.

The staff in the hospital, the ambulance crew and all others involved in my experience were a credit to the NHS, the hospital and, indeed, Dorset.

There are those that knock this institution.

Let me assure you all that when you need them they are there, they are first class and it is, almost, a pleasure to deal with them.

Now, what more than that can anyone want?

Anyway, I am up and about again and taking all forms of nourishment, thanks largely to the skill and professionalism of the staff at our local treasure – Dorset County Hospital.

Carping is cheap and easy, what they do at Dorchester takes a lot more.