AS we marked the 75th birthday of the National Health Service last Wednesday, it was a poignant moment to reflect on the monumental role this institution plays in our lives and within the very fabric of Scotland.
The landmark anniversary goes beyond mere commemoration – it profoundly underscores our shared commitment to compassionate, universal healthcare and our enduring belief in the simple, yet powerful idea that the NHS was built upon: healthcare as a fundamental human right, accessible to all, regardless of personal wealth.
The NHS, born from a dream to create a healthcare service where “the only passport you need is to be ill”, as its founder, Aneurin Bevan, so eloquently put it, became a reality on July 5, 1948. Its inception fundamentally transformed our perception of and access to healthcare. Today, imagining a Scotland without the NHS at its heart is virtually inconceivable. Our healthcare system has been a constant throughout most of our lives, from cradle to grave.
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Despite numerous challenges – from the Covid-19 pandemic to Brexit – the NHS has remained a beacon of hope, resilience and care. Our dedicated healthcare workers have battled tirelessly against overwhelming odds, standing on the front line during the pandemic and showcasing remarkable bravery amid unprecedented pressures.
Their actions serve as a daily reminder of the vital importance of safeguarding this beloved service.
Yet even before the pandemic, our NHS was under intense strain. The austerity years imposed by the UK Government in Westminster, profoundly debilitated the NHS, leaving it underfunded, stripped back to its bones and stretched to its limits.
Such a worrying trend calls for immediate attention and action. We must take note that although the NHS is devolved in Scotland, any decisions made in the UK Parliament regarding NHS spending impacts our overall funding here.
We don’t just need to protect the NHS, we must fully back it and invest more into it. With advances in medical equipment and AI healthcare, we need to ensure investment supports a modern and state-of-the-art healthcare system with an estate and equipment fit for purpose and a staff who are paid fairly and taken care of.
Consider a hypothetical situation to underscore the importance of a healthcare system free at the point of service. A single mother battling a severe illness and in need of extensive treatment, is confronted with an avalanche of medical bills. The financial strain, alongside her health crisis, intensifies her worries and hinders her path to recovery. This is not just her struggle, but her children’s too and, ultimately, society’s.
This bleak scenario is a reality for many in nations lacking a universal healthcare system like the NHS. It’s in our collective best interest, and is testament to our compassion, to care for one another in times of need.
As we contemplate the challenges facing the NHS, I acknowledge the deeply personal connections many of us have with it. Twice, I have owed my life to the NHS. During emergency situations while giving birth, the skill, dedication, and swift action of NHS staff ensured my survival and the safe arrival of my babies.
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They were my beacon during harrowing storms, their care and kindness providing comfort when worry threatened to consume me and my family. Intense pain was eased due to medication given to me freely. Blood was given and available due to a system the NHS created.
I feel forever indebted.
This deep appreciation extends beyond my personal experience. I’ve witnessed the care the NHS provided to ailing relatives, balancing medical care and emotional support during their final moments. I’ve seen how it cared for my children during illness, the gentle hands and warm smiles of nurses offering solace during anxious times.
These experiences aren’t unique to me; they resonate in millions of stories across Scotland.
When my son was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis, during our couple of nights in the hospital, I was allowed to crawl into his small bed to comfort him, never once being asked to move.
I’ve seen a nurse gently cover a sleeping, exhausted mother, and rock her fussing baby back to sleep before placing the child back beside her. These small acts of care and kindness, often overlooked, are testament to the daily commitment shown by our NHS caregivers.
As we celebrate the NHS’s 75th birthday, it’s essential to transform these stories into action, re-affirming our commitment to its preservation.
In an independent Scotland, we could have the opportunity to enshrine the NHS in a written constitution, protecting it from privatisation and ensuring its long-term survival.
We must prevent it from becoming a commodity, subject to market forces and profiteering interests, and ensure it remains a service driven by care, compassion, and the needs of the people it serves.
While marking the anniversary, we acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the NHS and its staff. We showed appreciation for the healthcare professionals who tirelessly ensure our health and wellbeing, often in challenging conditions.
As we celebrate the institution that has been a lifeline for many of us, we must pledge to safeguard it for future generations.
The challenge before us is considerable but it is one we must face head on. The preservation and strengthening of the NHS are non-negotiable – it is a matter of our health, our wellbeing, and our shared future. We must prevent the erosion of this vital institution and uphold its foundational principle of delivering care based on need, not ability to pay.
As we celebrate the NHS and the invaluable service it provides, let us send a clear message – our health service is not for sale. We must protect it, cherish it, and ensure it can continue to provide the service we have come to rely on.
So, here’s to the NHS – may it continue to be our beacon of hope, compassion and care for many more years to come.
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