UNFORTUNATELY, I was one of the many motorists caught up in the gridlock which dominated the Bournemouth rush hour on Tuesday last, November 13.

I left my home on the East Cliff at 7.45am to undertake the usual 10-minute drive to the Bournemouth hospital to attend an appointment at 8am.

Having decided to leave the A338 due to a considerable delay caused by stationary vehicles, I was faced with a similar scene on all side roads.

I eventually arrived at the hospital at 10am, exactly two hours late!

Upon arrival at the Cardiac Intervention Unit, I was cordially greeted by the staff who showed no sign of the chaos which must have been caused by the late arrival of a further five patients.

The organisation of the complete unit was totally under control.

I was shown to my bed in the ward, and within minutes I was being prepared for my angiogram and this was carried out just after 11am.

My stay at the hospital was scheduled to last between three and five hours.

At exactly 1pm my wife had been telephoned to collect me, and I left the unit just three hours after my arrival!

I want to convey my sincere thanks to Dr Radvan and all the staff, who were absolutely brilliant, for the care and attention I was afforded by the wonderful staff.

I am certain this unit could not be bettered anywhere in the country.

I am not at all certain that the same can be said of the police.

It certainly seems that the closure of the A338 at the time of the rush hour, might well have handled with a wider vision, than the task of removing one vehicle following it’s having left the road!

But let nobody detract from the fantastic achievement of all those at the Cardiac Intervention Unit at Bournemouth hospital. Well done.

DEREK HOOPER, Gervis Road, Bournemouth