My father was recently admitted as an emergency to Southend University Hospital and, having many medical problems, sadly died after six days.

He was in Balmoral Ward.

The dedication of the staff was the sort money couldn’t buy. All patients are treated with great dignity and nothing was too much trouble.

There was always someone for me to talk to and to help me through a very difficult time.

Andrea Fryatt
Grand Drive
Leigh

...I have just had a short stay in Shopland ward at Southend Hospital where staff treated me with the utmost consideration which was second to none.

But the food was a disaster.

The shepherd’s pie was dry and tasteless. The chicken masala comprised tittle sticks of tasteless chicken with a blob of sauce on a thin bed of rice which lifted off the plate like a roof tile.

I was told the allowance for the meal is £2. The only thing that kept me smiling was the fact hospital management would be eating the same standard of food and I would be gone in a few days.

Brian Smith
Kiln Road
Thundersley