A WOMAN whose diabetic husband has nearly died three times in the last few weeks and has been revived by Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary's A and E team says it is time 'hospital bashing' stopped.
"They have come in for a lot of criticism in recent times and it is so sad because they work really hard and are so good," said Mrs Jenny Roberts, whose husband is recovering from an infection which nearly killed him.
"There are so many complaints especially in newspaper reports and it makes me so angry when they are giving 100 per cent and more.
"Not only did they save my husband's life but they gave more than was necessary – one diabetes nurse even refused to leave his bedside and stayed a couple of hours longer to make sure he was safe."
Mrs Roberts, who herself works tirelessly to raise money to improve diabetes facilities, says she realises people don't always get prompt treatment but the staff in A&E have to prioritise cases and do make a thorough assessment of each patient brought in.
Any criticism, she says, should really be levelled at the lack of funding and resources which sees doctors, nurses and other staff working long hours.
"I would just like to say to them all 'thanks a bunch'," she said. "I really appreciate all you are doing and I am sure a lot of other patients and their families feel the same."
Her husband David, who has just come out of hospital, has even more praise. "If it hadn't been for the doctors and nurses and the way they worked on me I would have been dead," he said. "They are marvellous."