RECENTLY, one Saturday, I was admitted to the day unit of York Hospital for a minor operation.

Staff there are performing operations on Saturdays to clear a backlog.

I was told on arrival by nurse Lilly that they were the 'A-team'.

I had my doubts thinking being Saturday they were probably the 'Z' team. I was wrong.

I, and the other patients, were treated with compassion, our dignity was preserved and we were given a huge dose of humour to quell our "pre-op jitters".

So I thank the surgeon, Mr Dwyer, who took time to inform me pre and post-op of the situation without having to consult his notes. This makes one feel like a human being rather than a case number.

Thanks too to 'Super Stone' the anaesthetist who found one of my well- hidden veins quicker than it took me to spell anaesthetist, and his colleague, plus Rio Rita in recovery, nurses Lilly, Christine and Carol.

If Tony Blair ever starts to crow "we have reduced hospital waiting lists' the 'we' should refer to the dedicated, caring professional medical teams such as those named above.

Mrs N J Johnson,

Bridge Road,

Bishopthorpe, York.

Updated: 10:08 Friday, March 26, 2004