DURING early April I underwent a bowel cancer operation (hemicolectomy) at the Churchill and spent several days on the colorectal ward recovering.

The experience and immediate after-effects of a major operation, though hardly pleasurable, were something I was determined to treat as a learning experience.

So what did I learn?

My long-held view that an absolutely first-class national health service is central to a civilised society was reinforced.

However, more immediate was thankful appreciation of the high degree of skill and dedication that extends throughout the entire cancer centre, which in my case ran from Richard Guy, the consultant-surgeon and medical team, to the entire nursing and auxiliary staff, all of whom possess such a high degree of care and feeling for their patients.

At colorectal the mantra was: “We will get you there.” It seems they did.

Meeting such a range of staff and being ever an observer and enquirer, I was most interested to hear the determined experiences of an African lady and those of a young man from Nepal. Then there was the young nurse whose countenance always evinced concern for her patients, urging recovery. And my courage was further bolstered by the heroism of certain patients, themselves extremely sick people, bravely facing up to serious illness.

I hope to write a fuller account of my experience, in the hope that it will increase strength and resolve in others: others initially, perhaps, as apprehensive as I was.

STEPHEN WARD, Tudor Close, Oxford