THE British have a reputation for whinging, most of all perhaps with our Australian cousins who call us ‘whinging poms’.

Having a good old moan is as British as drinking tea, rubbish weather and bad clothes, like men of a certain age wearing socks under their sandals while on holiday.

In fact, I’ve just got off the phone to someone who has bent my ear for half an hour having a good whinge to the point where I considered committing hara-kari with a biro.

But whinging reaches new and epic proportions when it comes to the NHS.

As the health reporter I have to listen to quite a lot of complaints, sometimes from people who have complained so much that the NHS now refuses to respond to their complaints.

I’m not saying many of these complaints aren’t genuine – many of them are – but stories about complaints have led to some accusing the Worcester News of being negative and always knocking hard-working NHS staff.

The trouble is people often only call newspapers when they have a grievance but keep silent when they have received first-rate care.

There is a saying ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’.

The reality is the complete opposite. People are most vociferous when they are angry or upset.

Then you get people who say we only print the bad stuff to sell papers.

Thank heavens, then, for people like Lesley Holliday who wrote in to say that her dad, 91-year-old, John Holliday, was treated ‘like a king’ at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester after he suffered a stroke.

I wish more people like Lesley would contact newspapers, local and national. I know they’re out there.

I’ve even spoken to some of them.

I just wish they shouted as loudly and displayed as much passion as those who complain.

Writing about grievances can lead to changes which may help to improve care in hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes.

There is a time and a place for complaining.

I would just like to hear a bit more about some of the inspirational care delivered in Worcestershire because anyone who has seen large parts of the rest of the world will know how lucky we are to have the NHS.