WE hear so much adverse publicity about Gloucester Royal Hospital, but I and my family would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff of the cardiac unit at the hospital.

My brother was taken ill and admitted to the cardiac unit at Gloucester Royal. As I do not drive and I am 80 years old, I had difficulty getting to the hospital from Lydney.

My daughter, who is a senior nurse and lives in Australia, contacted the staff on my brother's ward on my behalf to discuss her uncle's condition.

She said it was a pleasure to be able to talk to staff who knew what they were talking about and that knew immediately, without looking up information, exactly what was happening with him and she commented how professional they were.

As availability of transport by bus is limited to Gloucester from Lydney, I contacted the ward to ask if my sister-in-law and I could visit outside visiting times, explaining our difficulties.

We were told it would not be a problem and arrived at 11.30am to be greeted by Sister Claire and her wonderful, cheerful and courteous staff, in my opinion, the best hospital staff I have had the pleasure to meet.

The staff worked around us carrying out tests and no one complained about us being there.

Sister Claire took the time in her busy day to explain what was happening with my brother and what they were doing for him.

The only downside to our visits was the travelling experience and the access to the hospital from the bus station.

This is via an underpass where homeless people shelter, which can be intimidating for older people.

The bus service leaves much to be desired. My sister- in-law lives in Aylburton and has to catch the bus from Gloucester to Lydney then wait an hour for the last Chepstow bus at 5pm. As there is no waiting room at the bus station, this can be very cold in the winter months.

Travelling from Bream Road in Lydney, we have to wait in the wet and the cold, as there is no bus shelter to shield us from the elements and the Gloucester bus is very often late.

I live in a sheltered housing complex and our manager has appealed to the Forest of Dean District Council to have a bus shelter provided for us, but alas, it has fallen on deaf ears.

Thank God for my bus pass.

– Don George, Lydney.