Delivering Love

This week has seen much of the UK paralysed by a perfect storm all the way from far off Eastern lands. The Beast from the East they named this crazy phenomenon. Here in central Scotland we have seen our infrastructure brought to a virtual standstill. We are not equipped for snow drifts and the like, it’s been 50 years since such weather has been visited upon us. So we have hunkered down. Children have rejoiced in delight at unexpected days spent sledging and gaming as opposed to literacy and class work. Couples have argued over ‘office space’ as they try to keep the work fires burning from home. Kindnesses have been shown to elderly neighbours and trapped motorists and the country rejoices in it’s renowned Scottish ability to muck in and knuckle down. Here, here I say.. pride is also mine. Then there is our beloved, and I mean beloved NHS. Truly the most undervalued, underrated gift this fine island has to offer.

As a citizen of the United Kingdom you are entitled to free medical treatment and attention. Truly only those who have lived and paid elsewhere  can adequately  value what this really means. There is no fear and worry of astronomical bills, insurance that won’t pay or poverty being a barrier to health. It is the cornerstone of our society and having been part of it for several decades I am immensely proud. Like every person I have needed the services of the NHS, my children have had transformative surgeries thanks to the provision of it, friends and family have had their lives saved by it and those who have passed on have had their journeys soothed by it. Like any great health service it is nothing without the human beings who provide it. Our Doctors and nurses are selfless and learned people who have devoted their talents, energy and in many cases their lives to the healing of others. It is not an easy profession. Contrary to popular opinion it is for the most part not even a lucrative profession. It is a calling in life. It is a heartfelt journey into a lifelong commitment to serving others.

You don’t have to search far to see the dedication of people in these past few days of inclement weather. Yes, the well reported surgeon who walked 3 hours to his patient in vital need of a cancer surgery was something. Really something. However I am certain that she would want every staff member who did the same applauded similarly. Operations don’t work without nurses, anaesthetic staff, ancillary staff.. it’s a team and I am certain many of them also walked a  long distance to assist in this life saving surgery. My own friend, a GP, walked to her home visits in the worst of Thursdays snow, my neighbour’s daughter, a junior Dr, has not been home in 3 days. Scores of nurses walked to relieve their exhausted colleagues who had plowed on after many many hours working tirelessly without seeing their own families or homes. Babies were born by the road side and ambulance staff risked life and limb to reach those most in need. It is a superhuman effort to ensure that the NHS we are so blessed to have remains functional in the worst of circumstances.

But l ask you to remember these same people when the snow is not waist deep and the news is not their champion or support. Remember them as they are attacked in aggression in A&E rooms, when they work 12 hours without a break due to staffing shortages. Remember their heartache as they deliver that little baby born still or as they tell the mother there’s nothing more they can do to stem her cancer. Remember they have lives too and it is not easy to support others when your own home is falling apart. It takes real guts to leave personal trauma at the door to care for those vulnerable in your care. Medical staff hurt too, they feel their failures, after all they are but human beings, not machines. Perfection alludes them no matter how infallible they are expected to be. Some of the brightest minds in our homeland chose to apply their gift to the pursuit of healing others. They turn their backs on wealth and glory that such innate ability may procure and instead give themselves to medicine. Our nurses are educated people many to masters level and beyond. They are committed to lifelong learning and development, this is not a career to coast in by any means. They are frustrated by endless red tape and litigation. So many dream of being able to care ‘better’ and do ‘more’. Do not be fooled by the few stories of negativity and despair. Not to nullify these in any way but such are few and far between and it is simply the right thing to do at times to acknowledge the magnificent staff of our NHS.

I do not use the term angel lightly . Of course these are not celestial beings but the work they have committed to so often requires supernatural strength , commitment and dedication. So for every hand that is held, every scalpel that is wielded, every tear that is shed, every floor that is spotlessly cleaned, every hour of sleep that is lost and every bladder that aches from over use, from the bottom of my heart I am thankful. To every nurse, doctor , ancillary staff member that I am privileged to know, bless you, your heart is not unnoticed.