I WRITE as the newly-appointed chairman of the Bury Healthcare NHS Trust.

On Christmas day morning, I went into both Fairfield and Bury General hospitals to see staff and to thank them for working the holiday. When I telephoned to confirm arrangements, I spoke to the lady on the switchboard. Naturally, I thanked her for her commitment. In reply, she just said: "It is my duty".

I went round most wards at Fairfield and Bury General on Christmas day and on New Year's day. I was met with cheerfulness, enthusiasm, commitment and a deep concern for patients from nurses and doctors and from all the other support staff. I met some great sadness too, because tragedy is no respecter of dates. The words of the lady on the switchboard were echoed in the attitude of all those I met.

I am very honoured to be associated with all these people and humbled by their remarkable commitment to public service.

The National Health Service has, and always will have, much work to do to keep up with the demands and opportunities which it faces and we, as a nation, have to think very carefully about what we will pay to have the health service we want.

In Bury, at least, we can be sure that the people who look after us are more than good enough to meet the challenge. In the months and years to come, I hope we can be relied on to give them the support and thanks they really deserve.

DAVID RYDER

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.