I was accurately diagnosed with a twisted small intestine necessitating immediate surgery.

I was quickly taken to Dorset County Hospital where an expert team of surgeons headed by Mr Lagattolla opened up the troubled abdomen, sorted through 20 feet of small intestine, located and removed about a yard of ineffective Ileum.

They then replaced the remaining 17 feet, avoiding twists, into the awaiting cavity and closed up the wound.

I spent two nights in the High Dependency Unit and a further two weeks in Lulworth Ward, where I was treated with great care and attention.

My thanks are due to the NHS in general and to the Dorset County Hospital in particular.

As a donor I discovered my blood group was A- and I thank all those donors in my blood group who afforded me the necessary units for my recovery.

On a bank holiday, the diagnostic accuracy and speed of surgical reaction speaks volumes for the dedication and expertise of the resident surgeons and nursing staff, for whom I cannot express adequate admiration.

A L Pope, Dorchester