Scottish Authors Highlight Healthcare In Fiction And Poetry

2nd April 2007

'WRITTEN REMEDIES' REACHES NHS HIGHLAND

A specially-produced book featuring a collection of inspirational and entertaining fictional short stories, poems and excerpts on the theme of healthcare by some of Scotland's best authors, will be distributed to GP surgeries in Highland this month.

'Written Remedies', a compilation of stories and poems by well-known Scottish authors and rising writers including Quintin Jardine, Janice Galloway and Diana Hendry, has been drawn together to highlight the wide range of work carried out by thousands of NHS staff who work tirelessly around the clock to deliver quality healthcare to the people of
Scotland.

As part of the NHS careers campaign, the authors have kindly given their support to the awareness drive by providing short stories, poems or excerpts from novels for inclusion in the book. Each insertion demonstrates how healthcare impacts on all of us at some point in our lives and highlights the importance of the150,000 healthcare professionals who diagnose, treat and care for people in Scotland when they need it.

The book will be distributed to all GP surgeries and healthcare centres across Scotland in a bid to get people to consider the importance of their own health and the people who help them get better and perhaps encourage people to consider one of the 150 different careers available in NHS Scotland.

Commenting at the launch, Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald, said: "NHS staff are always there to provide first class care and treatment for us all when we need it most. We are lucky to have so many enthusiastic, professional and caring people and I'm proud of the record numbers of frontline staff now working in the service. The huge range of specialist skills now employed mean patients get the very best of care. It also means there are fantastic opportunities for anyone who wants to make a career in the NHS Scotland. That's why we're always keen to encourage more people to come and join the NHS."

Contributing author Cynthia Rogerson said: "Illness affects everyone, not just the patient. It is frightening to be ill, or to have someone you love become ill. The NHS health care professionals I have met over the years have always touched me with their reassuring calm, sincerity and warmth. They are all saints."

Carol McKay said: "My story features a blind woman finding fulfillment through the arts as a result of a suggestion by her Occupational Therapist. I've been learning about the great work done by OTs as my elderly father has become increasingly frail. They've helped him with all the aids and advice he needs to be able to retain his independence
and his dignity. I'm passionate about the NHS. My story's a way of acknowledging that and giving my thanks."

Quintin Jardine: "I'm happy to support this campaign for several reasons, but chief among them is this. As a health service consumer who's getting on a bit, I have a personal interest in making sure that properly trained professionals will be there to treat me, as and when I need it."

Anne McLeod: I am and always have been fully committed to the NHS: a human and humanitarian enterprise that seeks to better the human predicament. It really is a team. It's obvious in The Blue Moon Book that Jess's recovery is aided by health workers at every level. They are all important. The NHS is an institution where people matter.
Where stories, the narrative strands of human life meet science and kindness and the best of the human condition. Where Tender Loving Care is not a thing of the past. Where need is more important than money or prestige. I wouldn't work in any other setting.

NHS Highland Chief Executive Roger Gibbins said: "I'm pleased GPs in our area are making this book available to highlight the compassion and talents of our staff. It is good to know that their work has not gone unnoticed by this country's writers. We see it every day but that does not mean it is taken for granted."

For further information, log on to www.infoscotland.com/nhs.