Sir,
Following a recent visit to Withybush Hospital, which meant a stay of 24 hours, it was quite an education for someone like me who has only once previously ever had to be kept in for treatment.
What is without doubt is the tremendous level of commitment and professionalism displayed by staff.
The pressures are often very considerable, due to what appears to be a distinct shortage of nursing staff.
As the night went on, I fully expected the flow of patients arriving for initial assessment to reduce, but this was not the case.
Throughout the entire night there was no let up. Despite this, the staff maintained their caring professional approach.
What I found most disappointing was to learn that the night nursing staff, who are quite rightly paid extra for working unsocial hours, face a cut of 20 per cent of this extra payment, plus a pay freeze over the next three years.
On top of this, they will have to pay increases in their pension contributions.
One member of staff told me that she was most concerned that she would not be able to keep up her mortgage payments. Is this the way to reward such dedicated staff?
Another member of staff did point out to me, I think it might have been somewhat tongue in cheek, that of course, as George Osborne continually informs us: "We are all in the same boat, and everyone must bear a fair share of the financial cuts."
Can anyone doubt that Cameron, Osborne, Clegg, and their millionaire cronies are also extremely worried about how they are going to pay their soaring utility bills and mortgages?