My name is Scott Horton and I am a fairly familiar face within our community.

I own Hercules Gym and Hercules School of Combat in Colchester and I have been prompted to write in respect of the bad press which appears to surround Colchester General Hospital.

In July this year, I sustained a very serious sporting injury, which resulted in a stay in hospital and further care and treatment.

As an ex-military man who has travelled the world and seen the inside of many hospitals, I have nothing but the ultimate praise for our local hospital and all of its staff.

From the time the ambulance arrived to date, my treatment has been beyond reproach from professional and caring people.

I recall lying in my bed listening to everyone moaning – patients and visitors complaining about everything and nothing.

Self-pity and anger manifest themselves in many ways and those around you are always soft targets and someone to blame, which I was happy to point out to my ward mates.

I think we should all appreciate we have people to look after us and they do so to the best of their ability.

Colchester General is an outstanding hospital.

Scott Horton
Colne Bank Avenue
Colchester

...Regarding the article in Wednesday’s Gazette, headlined: “Hospital among worst for patient complaints”, I feel I must let you know of my experiences.

Over the past four years, I have been admitted five times to Colchester General Hospital for small operations.

On every occasion I was seen very quickly and have had superb service and treatment.

Everyone involved in looking after me, from the administration staff all the way through to the consultants, was most helpful, considerate and professional in the service provided.

While there I was able to totally relax, knowing I was in first-class, professional hands, which I am sure helped to speed up my recovery.

Thank you to all at Colchester General Hospital. Five great jobs well done!

B B
Brightlingsea

...The headline on the article about Colchester General Hospital on November 9 gave all the wrong aspects on what the truth is.

So there were 166 complaints in a year, but you gave no indication of the seriousness of these.

Reading on, you mentioned Julie Firth, director of nursing at the hospital trust, “added” – as if an after-thought – that 18,364 compliments had been received in the last year.

This is journalism at its worst. How much better to reverse the headline. Good news is what people need.

By all means give the number of complaints and reasons which must be investigated and dealt with.

I’m due to have an operation in Colchester General Hospital and have every confidence in it.

Keith Taylor
Longridge
Colchester