'Let's not take the NHS for granted, they're under pressure and doing the best they can'

With the strain on the NHS hitting the headlines nationwide, we asked for your experiences - here’s what Gazette readers posted on Facebook.

Andy Bennett wrote: “Took my son to James Cook Hospital in late November and received the best service I’d say I’ve ever had and this was on a Sunday when A&E was jam packed.

“Let’s not take the NHS for granted, they’re under pressure and doing the best they can. #WellDone #JamesCookUniversityHospital”

Sarah Fisher wrote: “I was at North Tees A&E last night and it took three hours to be seen and a further two hours to be admitted onto children’s ward, but once seen, the care we received was fantastic.

“What I did find disgusting was the amount of abuse I saw towards the staff.

She added: “If people did not go with stupid things then the waiting times would not be that long.”

Pam Camara simply wrote: “Amazing service and seen straight away. Could not fault our visit at all.”

Dorothy Harris was equally impressed.

“Waited half an hour doctor had fab bedside manner in and out no bother. Thank you to staff,” she wrote.

Dean Moore made it clear where he thought the blame lied for the strained health service.

“Understaffed and overworked,” he wrote, “The health service is ran by a MUPPET called Jeremy Hunt, he has no clue about the days to day going on in a hospital.

“Maybe it should be ran by so one that has worked their way up the ladder and knows the day to day goings on. Not some politician with an agenda.

“The NHS and the staff are brilliant and all do a wonderful job.”

Dawn Matthews thought the NHS’s problems ran deeper than just the A&E departments.

“I’m sorry but it’s not just A&E, the whole hospital needs help,” she wrote adding, “Operations are getting cancelled on the day and people are not getting told until the last minute.

“I really think they more help and money.”

And Daniel Norman summed up his comment with praise for our hospital staff.

“I took my father in on Boxing Day evening and because it was quiet he got in and was in for four hours,” he wrote.

“When we were leaving the waiting room was full and the staff were struggling to cope - staff do struggle when it’s busy for obvious reasons but the doctors and nurses are fantastic.”