A Scottish example of the commitment and dedication of National Health Service staff

Scotland has been experiencing some difficult weather conditions in recent weeks. Snow, ice and blizzard conditions has caused major disruption and often brought things to a standstill. All credit therefore goes to those that work for the National Health Service and have made every possible effort to reach vulnerable patients in their homes and those requiring treatment in hospital. One such case has recently been highlighted in the Scottish media. High risk weather condition had resulted in a red alert for snow being issued and a warning not to travel in Scotland. This did not stop a surgeon who was determined to get to Scotland's Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley in order to carry out vital operations that had been scheduled.

Putting on her winter walking clothing, goggles and snow poles she walked the eight miles from her home to the hospital. In the hospital Mr McAndrew, a colon cancer patient, was one of the patients who she operated on on that day. He told BBC Scotland that he was "gobsmacked" when he saw the surgeon arrive still wearing her winter walking gear. When Scottish newspapers first reported on the story the surgeon did not want her name mentioned. However, it had now been revealed that it was Lindsey Chisholm (Consultant Surgeon). She was not the only member of staff  who made it to work that day and the hospital actually ran five operating theatres. When interviewed patient Iain McAndrew said: "She's just a very nice person and I hope people applaud what she has done for me and what she has done for the NHS to prove that good people work for the NHS'."

This is just one example of many that highlights the dedication of National Health Service staff. The National Health Service (NHS) was established in 1948 as one of the major social reforms following the Second World War. The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery. Over recent years there have been efforts to undermine the NHS, with a failure to provide it with adequate funding and a programme of privatisation. However, there is huge public support for the NHS, not least in the Celtic nations of Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and also for the Isle of Man National Health Service (NHS). However, it is often the dedication of a truly heroic staff that are keeping the service going. Frequently working extra shifts to cope with vacancies and often putting in hours of unpaid overtime. This is why it is also vital for the public to do everything possible to save their NHS. What took years of struggle to achieve can be destroyed unless concerted action is taken to oppose every advancing privatisation, every threat to reduce services and all proposals that would result in inadequate funding.