A WOMAN who spent nine days in hospital has praised staff for their tireless work amid chaotic conditions.

Rosemary Butler, 72, who suffers with cellulitis, was rushed to A&E on New Year’s Day after taking a turn for the worse.

She spent a total of nine days in the Great Western Hospital, which included a 14-hour wait in A&E, and had nothing but praise for the doctors and nurses who treated her.

A grateful Rosemary, who lives in Wroughton, said: “I would like to issue a big thank you to all the staff at the GWH.

“Their care and attention to all was exemplary. Doctors and nurses worked tirelessly throughout the night and kept the well-oiled wheels moving.

“We were given drinks and offered sandwiches and biscuits, all with a smile, and I was moved onto a very comfortable bed.

“The ward staff were lovely, caring and attentive and I spent nine days being made comfortable, fed and made well again.”

It comes after recent stories in the national press of the terrible state of NHS hospitals throughout the country.

Last week, in an unprecedented intervention, the British Red Cross declared a humanitarian crisis in the NHS.

Rosemary had been taken to A&E late on New Year’s Day after the cellulitis in her legs began to flare up.

She was there only a few minutes before being seen by a doctor, which she described as a “miracle” considering how busy it was.

She said: “Within 15 minutes I had had blood tests taken which confirmed a high infection. Within one hour I received intravenous antibiotics on a trolley by the nurses’ station as casualty was full and ambulance cases were stacking up.”

She described the scene in A&E as “organised chaos” and praised medical staff for how they handled the pandemonium.

“What the entire team did was work together and move patients when they were able,” said Rosemary.

“Unfortunately, I was waiting to be seen by the medical team for 14 hours, with no beds anywhere.

But, during that time I watched a quality, caring team work their magic.

“We always hear bad stories about hospitals in the press and I thought they deserved to be praised.

“The medical people do a very difficult job in very difficult conditions and I’m very grateful to them for making me so comfortable.”

Rosemary is now back at home and taking things easy.

“I’ll be putting my feet up for the weekend I think,” she said.