Theland, shame on me why? For refusing to subscribe to the culture that decrees criticism of the NHS and its workers the most heinous of crimes? I don’t do holding hands and dancing around sanctimonious Maypoles. I live in rural England, my nearest hospital is 20 miles away. A GP ordered an ambulance and during the 11 hour wait I had three calls from the control centre who were aware that the patient didn’t need medical treatment but nevertheless organised two unrequested visits from paramedics – both of whom came from another hospital – a 50 mile round trip for each – and neither of whom could do anything whatsoever to help. How much did that cost the NHS? The ambulance crew eventually arrived and having delivered the patient to hospital, stayed whilst she was assessed, taken to a ward, and tucked up in bed. I asked why they stayed – wasn’t their duty finished once the patient was handed over to doctors? No, it wasn’t. The rules, apparently, dictate that the crew cannot leave until the patient is settled on a ward. Why? I have no idea – and neither did they. They were with us, I would estimate, about 3 hours, so if that’s the norm my question is how many patients are they actually attending to per shift? Frankly, despite having waited so long, I didn’t complain to them and had every sympathy with them - until they lingered around expounding their grievances and urging me to complain. Management of the organisation leaves much to be desired, for therein lies the rot, but that said, I perceived no sense of urgency from those men whatsoever – and knowing there were people waiting for them, as we had, and likely in need of medical assistance, that didn’t impress. Better hope it’s not you waiting for them the next time they air their grievances instead of getting on with the job. No apology from me.