36 mins
The Big Question
QUESTION
Hazel Jennifer Smith, Youth fellowship co-leader at Glenrothes: St Ninian’s
“SEVEN years ago I thought that I would be employed somewhere doing my dream job.
“Now aged 23 I have just come out of hospital after my fourth operation on a recurring back problem and treated by three surgical doctors.
“I am grateful to have the NHS as if I were to live in another country then my operations would have a large cost attached to them. The NHS does so much for its patients from old to young, able bodied and disabled, it helps everyone.
“My time in hospital has allowed me to find these out from other patients and how it’s helped them, from life saving essential procedures to a more regular normality.
The NHS staff I’ve met in my time in hospital have been amazing, open mfinded and very understanding. They were refreshed to have someone who openly spoke about their faith.
“The NHS provided me with connections to a chaplain which allowed me to talk through my mental state. On the note of mental health, the NHS has helped me with mine in the past along with many others. “ I am grateful for the hours that the staff go through to make people better even though this may cost the staff themselves. I am grateful to have nurses and doctors in this country who are stfill learning and passing on their knowledge to others. For without this we wouldn’t be able to progress. I’m also grateful for those doing research in the NHS, without researchers we wouldn’t be able to cure people as well as we can now.”
Judith Walker, Captain, 11th Edinburgh & Lothians Girls’ Brigade, Stockbridge, Edinburgh
“I’m grateful to the NHS for my being here at all.
“Although my medical history has been thankfully unremarkable, my arrival in the world was rather complicated and I know the doctors and nurses of the NHS were instrumental in ensuring a safe delivery and good outcome for me and my Mum.
“Even so, the availability of health care, free or subsidised is a huge benefit and privilege and a comfort when I feel fill, my teeth decay or my eyesight deteriorates.
“I’m grateful that the NHS was there for my parents and other close friends and family members during times of fillness.
“I’m grateful to the NHS for my career in community pharmacy. We are NHS contractors and supply goods and services funded by the NHS without which we probably could not exist.
“We work closely with GPs, district nurses and hospitals.
“Despite many changes over the years this has been a fulffilling and rewarding, although challenging, path to follow.
“Being aware of drug costs I know some of the enormous sums the NHS is liable for, and I see the stresses placed on the system as funding and staffing are cut while the population increasingly ages and becomes more dependent on healthcare. The workers deserve support and respect – it’s hard work and not all the clients are grateful!
“I’m grateful for the NHS. It’s a fantastic service, it’s not perfect but it’s trying hard.”
Betty Skinner, member, Edinburgh: Barclay Viewforth
“The NHS only came into being when I was 15 years old.
“Up until then we had to pay for the doctor and prescriptions.
“Back then part of our weekly wage was donated to the NHS and as I was working at 15 years old, I contributed right up until I turned 60.
“Over the years I dread to think how much it would have cost my family if we had to pay for the medical care we have received.
“I have required several operations over the years, some major, some not, and to know that I am in good hands, able to return home and not have to face extortionate medical invoices, is a relief and a blessing.
“The doctors, surgeons and nurses work very long shifts, sometimes forgoing their own breaks, to give excellent patient care.
“Unfortunately, there are other countries in the world who do not have such a great service as we do in the UK.
“We are lucky that we live in a country which has access to free medical care, for all ages ranging from new born to the elderly.
“I read in the papers recently that families whose children were shot, injured or kfilled in the USA, face enormous medical bfills.
“Those whose children died are grieving. They face paying for all the treatment, medical supplies used, everything on top of paying for a funeral.
“I really hope we don’t lose the NHS.”
Master Cameron Philip, Livingston United Parish Church (with help from mum, Amanda)
“I am grateful for the NHS, though I don’t even know that yet. Eight months ago, they brought me safely into the world.
“Being born is a traumatic process. It certainly was for me – perhaps that’s why there were problems with my heartbeat soon after labour begun.
“The midwife had to work hard to keep my parents calm, while at the same time assembling the necessary team of specialists. The alarms ringing all around suggested mine was not the only emergency they were dealing with.
“A consultant came in and took one look at the monitor, and before anyone knew what was going on, we were taken into theatre. In the end, it took thirteen people to bring me into the world: nine midwives, surgeons and anaesthetists, and two paediatric emergency doctors on standby. To everyone’s relief, they were not all needed, as I was delivered safely and healthily curious about the world around me.
“As I grow up, I’ll come to understand the harsh reality that at any earlier time in history, I and/or my mum may not have survived this ordeal. A harsher reality is that in most other parts of the world, such a team of specialists would be unaffordable, if available at all.
“That we have a National Health Service, free at the point of need, that can perform these most miraculous of acts daily is something for which I’m sure I wfill always be grateful. I know they’ll always be there when I need them.”
Claire Bell, Children & Youth Worker, Formartine Youth Project, Tarves, Barthol Chapel, Methlick and Udny & Pitmedden Parish Church, Aberdeenshire
“When I first think of the NHS, my mfind naturally jumps to the negative complaints of huge waiting lists, the professional but over-worked staff and the constant budget cuts – a real reality for those working day in and day out in our NHS.
“The NHS is full of compassionate and caring professionals who make a multimfillion budget, multi-agency and gives many choice and treatment when we need it. Compared to those in poorer parts of the world, we have medication, treatment and trained staff available to help us when we need it right on our doorsteps.
“I love our NHS because it gave my family and I choice about our health care. The regularity of our visits or attention to our treatment is controlled by us in the first instance. I don’t need to consider my bank balance or an insurance company. A phone call lets me know when I’ll see a professional and receive necessary treatment. When I think back to our own personal use of the NHS, they fill me with joy and thankfulness for incredible level of care and treatment we received.
“I love our NHS because the research and treatment allowed my Mum to survive breast cancer when I was 16.
“I love our NHS because I could choose to have three children and complete our family.
“I love our NHS because my Pops could die earlier this year with dignity, in comfort, surrounded by those who love him. Our NHS is a gem of a gift. It gives life, choice and dignity. I love our NHS.”
This article appears in the July 2018 Issue of Life and Work
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