Good to hear you are doing good Peter, I had little interaction with the NHS on the hospital side of things other than a couple of work related injuries and a near death experience which I was lucky to survive. That was until five or six years ago when I had a problem with my lungs which led onto an unrelated heart bypass. What I think some people don't realise is the sheer numbers of people the NHS deal with on a daily basis.
I was totally taken by surprise by the number of people in the waiting area at the start of my heart investigations. Since that time I have nothing but praise for everyone I have encountered, ok waiting times can be a bind ,with two ongoing problems one couldn't be sorted without some kind of resolution on the other hence I was in the system for 18 months before eventually having my bypass. My lung problem is not going to go away which means regular checkups, the staff are always helpful with appointment times, the Dr I see is totally lovely, her secretary is always available on the end of the phone should i have any concerns, the staff I have seen for the tests I have to have are always friendly, patient and understanding.
I do find it hard to hold my tongue when I hear people complaining and being rude to staff though these are in the minority. My one minor irritation about my hospital visit and this is purely personal and in no way a complaint, there are people whose conditions are far worse than mine, the Pulmonary unit for breath related problems is at the opposite end of the hospital to xray which involves a walk along what must be one of the longest hospital corridors in the country and then some.
I echo your sentiments regarding all staff from the top of the tree to the bottom