ON a recent holiday in France, my wife had an unfortunate accident and broke her foot.

We took her to the local hospital where she was seen within five minutes by a doctor. She was immediately taken to x-ray, and then back to the doctor who confirmed that she had splintered a bone and referred her to a nearby clinic.

She was met at the door by a waiting porter and a doctor took her to the plaster room. He also gave her an injection to prevent any blood clots. All this took two hours and 10 minutes.

At our same holiday resort, a main filter road, about 400 yards long, was completely resurfaced during the night and the following morning was fully opened to traffic with all the white lines having been repainted.

On arrival home our GP referred my wife to Bury General's A & E unit where she waited for three hours and 40 minutes before she was seen. All they did was to examine the plaster and ask to return in three days. Another hour went by after they lost her notes, and another 45 minutes was spent finding a zimmer frame.

I don't know where this country is going. Let's get some French people over and ask them how they do it.

JEFF GROVES