Delighted by service Shropdoc provided

LETTER - The NHS so often gets poor publicity. I feel I must tell you of my recent experience with the Shropdoc service.

On Saturday, April 5, I carried a heavy load home to Bridgnorth and that evening had excruciating pain in my neck and shoulders - literally no sleep at all that night.

I'm not a wimp but am 77, reasonably fit, and something had to be done. The following day I phoned Shropdoc at 7.50am, got through straight away and described the condition.

Twenty minutes later a doctor phoned me from Shrewsbury and said he would get a painkilling prescription to Boots in Bridgnorth.

I couldn't drive and arranged for a friend to pick it up and he brought it to me by noon.

The doctor said that if there was no improvement in a couple of hours, I could call again and a house visit would be arranged. By just after 2pm I was still in considerable pain, and rang again. At 3.10pm I had a phone reply and a visit was arranged; the doctor came at 3.55pm.

Apparently the muscles of my neck and shoulder had gone into spasm and the pills prescribed should bring relief in five to seven days. Some neck and arm exercises were defined and suggested. The condition improved, slowly at first, but at least I had some sleep on Sunday night.

By the end of the prescription course at midnight the following Sunday the cure was complete. I have nothing but praise for the competence and courtesy of the Shropdoc Service.

Geoffrey Speechly, Bridgnorth