Happy to report I’m on the mend after a heart attack
As many of you will already know I suffered a blocked artery in my heart, commonly referred to as a heart attack, on January 26.
I am now recovering at home having been told by the doctors to rest and not to drive for at least a month.
Fortunately, there is no permanent damage to my heart and I will soon be back to my old self.
I won’t be able to resume my surgeries until at least mid-March.
But my excellent office staff will deal with any constituent’s concerns meantime.
They can be contacted on 01236 439610. Alternatively, you can contact my friend and colleague Neil Gray MP at one of his regular constituency surgeries.
Neil is a brilliant MP and his office staff is first-class in helping constituents.
I took my heart attack whilst working in the Scottish Parliament.
Luckily, I remembered from my days as the Cabinet Secretary for Health that getting medical attention in the first hour is the key to minimising the impact of such an event.
An ambulance was there within a few minutes.
And, in less than two hours, I was in the coronary care unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, having already had a stent inserted in my heart to deal with the blocked artery and my situation stabilised with the help of medication.
Getting treated within that first “golden” hour was key to success.
I experienced the National Health Service at its best.
The dedication and efficiency of the ambulance service paramedics along with the excellent care I got in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary were second to none.
After only two nights in hospital I got home and am feeling fine.
My wife Isabell is making sure that I follow all the doctors’ orders, especially in avoiding fish suppers (which I love) and walking a few miles each day. Meantime, life goes on. The council elections are now only three months away.
A lot of people don’t vote in these elections.
I believe that is a mistake because what the council does (or doesn’t do) can make a big difference to people’s lives.
Education, social care, housing and planning are just some of the important services for which it is responsible.
So, no matter who you support, I would strongly urge everybody to use their vote.
You have no right to complain afterwards if you don’t.