Sir, – Over this last year there have been many negative comments made in the press about the NHS and carers. I want to explain my family’s positive experiences in this deeply rural area of North Yorkshire.

My family’s personal experience over the last few years has been very positive. I had a hip replacement four years ago at my local hospital in Northallerton where care and kindness from every level of staff was paramount.

Recently my father-in-law, aged 87, was also seen in Friarage Hospital as an out-patient, and as an in-patient this January for a week, then a further two weeks in March. The staff were thorough in their treatment and kind to him.

He lived with his wife at Sycamore Hall, an extra-care centre run by Housing 21, in Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, where there is 24-hour care organised on-site by North Yorkshire County Council. Since early March he had received care from Sycamore Hall care staff, some visits lasting 45 minutes, and at the end going in every two hours; as well as district nurses, and towards the end also Herriot Hospice home team The doctors of the Central Dales Practice have also played their part in this calm end to his life in his own home.

All groups were faultless with care. The hard work, kindness, and compassion was seen throughout his final weeks in a well co-ordinated delivery.

We do need to keep a balance in such matters and not be too influenced by the media.

KATE EMPSALL, Askrigg