I am one of those egotistical persons who writes letters to the papers on local, national and international politics. To give the ignorant readers the benefit of opinions.

Not today, today I am writing to give well deserved praise for the Emergency Department at Tauranga Hospital.

My octogenarian wife suffered severe stomach pains on Saturday night. After much humming and arring we arrived at the Emergency Department at 9.15am Sunday.

Then the amazing staff sprung into action. Forms were filled in, samples taken, tests conducted and reported, intravenous mendicants administered, scans undertaken, scans interpreted and diagnosis determined by registrars in cooperation with consultants. A treatment plan drawn up, explained to us and prescriptions written.

All this was carried out by highly skilled professionals, in a very friendly competent manner. We were discharged at 1.15pm.

Amazing service by all involved from the triage nurse who received us, the registrar who discharged us.

Thank you Tauranga Hospital for the care you afforded us in a time of stress and discomfort.

Pete Dolden, Papamoa