KIRSTY Strickland’s article (We must do all we can to protect the Scottish NHS and its staff, Feb 28) resonated fiercely with me. As someone who, like Kirsty and her daughter, has been lucky enough to barely need the NHS (in my case for 63 years), I have been catapulted into its realms since the end of last December.
Following a small stroke, there have so far only been two weeks of this year when I have not had a medical appointment, with several bringing more than one. Each and every time I have been offered deep and sensitive care, understanding, compassion and exemplary expertise. On the very rare occasions where this was not on offer, it has then been rectified soon after, by some other angel.
Yes, there have been masks, but never has there been a sense that the unbelievable demands and pressures of the pandemic were going to be allowed to diminish the essential medical interventions, or the humanity with which they were offered.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: More than 7000 new cases and 21 deaths recorded
There has been a raft or tests, follow-up reviews, monitoring, and then the pivotal catharsis – an appointment within ERI’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences, offering a Life after Stroke appointment. I was given an hour and a half of profound respect and attention (albeit there had been a cancellation, doubling my allocated 40 minutes, which equally need not have been used in this way). Even if I had not wept throughout, I know my unique patient experience would have been given a gravitas, and being heard at that deep level was both emotionally exhausting, but also uplifting. It gave space for the terror, uncertainty, anger and sadness I have experienced in waves throughout 2022.
NHS Scotland is magnificent, and I am only sad that it takes a life-threatening crisis for me, and many others, to truly recognise and appreciate the gift it is. It literally offers life, as well as salvation, and that most essential element of healing – hope.
READ MORE: Scots join SOS NHS campaign in UK-wide protest to 'demand more' for health service
As March begins I have worked out that on Hogmanay 2021, as I carried out boxes of drugs from the ERI, my bill, had I been in England, would have been £65.45, for the last two months. But in Scotland I had been given the pills my system now requires.
While devastated that I am now dependent on the NHS’s care for the rest of my life, I give daily thanks that they are there to pump me with pills, wire me up to machines, suck out my blood, but most importantly, to hear my damaged brain and heart.
The charitable help and advice from Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, working in partnership with NHS Scotland, has also been invaluable.
Jenny Pearson
Edinburgh
HANNAH Carmichael had an illuminating article in Monday’s paper (Women starting record number of companies). It is welcome news that diversity is increasing in the business sphere and more women are gaining confidence to embark on such ventures.
However, she does unfortunately headline Alison Rose of NatWest, who unfortunately lets the female side down badly as the most dismissive and customer unfriendly business leader. The woes of NatWest (and RBS) are well known, consistently polling low in customer service surveys, ignoring complaints, refusing to engage. Taking 18 months to change signatories on bank accounts, for three different organisations I have first-hand involvement with. Not least branch closures, replacing skilled knowledgeable staff with an execrable call centre.
Alison Rose is one of the worst examples to champion the diversity cause and instead of lauding herself she should address the fundamental function of all businesses, which is meeting customer needs.
Nick Cole
Meigle, Perthshire
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