RECENTLY I had to ring the number for medical emergencies out of normal hours. This was during the night and only the second time I've had the urgent need of this service.

The first time was on Christmas Day two years ago and the outcome was I was rushed to hospital with serious respiratory trouble.

Two weeks ago I needed a different type of medical treatment and I needed help at 3am when I was all alone.

I can't praise all involved in this service highly enough, they all give 100 per cent to the distressed caller and I would just like to put it on record how very grateful I was on both occasions.

MRS C WILKIN-WYKE (address supplied).