I don't normally post stuff like this, but considering the current political climate, I feel compelled to share.
So at the start of April my life was saved by having entire stomach surgically removed and what is left of my oesophagus tied to my intestines. It's sore, really sore. I'm having to learn to eat and walk all over again, and at night I am fed through a tube in my stomach. I spent 6 days in intensive care and at one point had to have an urgent blood transfusion (which isn't as exciting as it sounds). The main thing is though, I'm alive and thanks to the NHS - specifically the amazing team at Wishaw General - have a decent chance of living a normal life.
What is particularly enlightening to me is the role of "migrants" in my care. For my operation, I was anaesthetised by a Pole and an Irishman, my surgeons were Lebanese and Pakistani and I would imagine that a number of the theatre nurses were not from the uk: I can't confirm this though as I was busy being under a general anaesthetic. During my 6 days in intensive care I was cared for with admirable professionalism and tenderness by Scottish, Irish and Ugandan nurses. I have never felt so vulnerable - I have never felt so safe. My blood transfusion was administered by a Brazilian.
Once in a normal ward, I was tended to by at least 3 Europeans whose nationalities I didn't manage to ask, an Albanian, a Ukrainian, as well as a number of UK born professionals. My dietician is Finnish. I find it very unlikely that this experience was atypical and I can't see how it is possible that the NHS can continue to function without the input of these talented and caring health workers from beyond our shores. The NHS, and Scotland specifically, NEEDS foreign workers to be able to function at a level whereby our citizens lives can be saved, and improved, and helped, both physically and emotionally. This is just talking practically, without considering the societal enrichment we experience from sharing our lives with people who have a different world view. These people, and other eu citizens working in our society, must be allowed to remain and work here without prejudice or fear of being forced to leave. For all our sakes.
