Exemplary health care

Sir,

I was horrified when I read – I believe from the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald – ‘Arran residents treated like second-class citizens when it comes to healthcare’. On reading further I discovered that they were talking about the ferry fiasco.

However, this headline certainly gave the wrong impression to some. My cousin from England sent me a message wanting to know why we did not leave, especially as we had the fastest growing Covid situation in Scotland.

The lack of differentiation between Arran and North Ayrshire leads to much confusion. Arran has little in common with the rest of Ayrshire. We pay higher insurance on our cars because of the postcode and our ‘high crime rate’. I remember when Arran was part of Argyll and later Bute and we did not have such problems.

The most important part of this note, however, is the comment about our healthcare. We have lived in more than a dozen locations and never once have we seen such high level of medical and health care services.

From the GPs, nurses, carers, administrators, receptionists, hospital, helicopter links, ambulance service and more, all of which I have had to use frequently, we have received nothing but the highest care, compassion and professionalism.

Every single time we have needed them, they have been there to provide the best service in the country. I was even born on the island, so experience goes back a long way.

The rollout of the vaccine was exemplary. Our community has pulled together magnificently throughout this strange time – shops, delivery services, volunteers and friends. We thank them all from the bottom of our hearts.

Yours,

Mairi S Christie,

Kildonan