Crisis brings outbest infirms
Several businesses came to the rescue when food deliveries were unable to reach Forth Valley Hospital during last week’s snow storm.
Tesco and Asda stores donated supplies of bread and milk for patients and staff while bakery Oliphant delivered 100 loaves to the hospital.
Kingsmill bakery also provided bread, pancakes, fruit loaves and hot cross buns for free as they were unable to reach supermarkets on the normal delivery route.
And Campbell Brothers, who supply meat and fish, prioritised deliveries to the hospital and made sure it was one of their few orders which got through on Thursday.
Rae Kelso, Serco catering administrator at the hospital, said: “We really appreciate the kindness of local people and businesses we approached for help.
“One lady outside a local Tesco commented on the amount of bread and milk I was carrying but when I told her it was for patients at the hospital she kindly offered me a lift in her four-wheeldrive vehicle.”
Cathie Cowan, Chief Executive at NHS Forth Valley, added “The kindness and generosity shown by local staff, businesses, voluntary organisations and members of the public across Forth Valley has been overwhelming and I would like to thank everyone who has provided assistance to help maintain essential health services.”
The Observer reported on Friday that heroic NHS staff stayed overnight at Forth Valley Hospital while others walked for miles in snow to ensure they would be at work to see to their patients on Thursday morning.
Trossachs Search and Rescue had all three of their 4x4s in action, delivering emergency prescriptions to Fintry and Buchlyvie and transporting nurses to and from hospital.
Other organisations making valiant attempts to help with transport included Forth Valley First Responders, SP Energy Networks, Ecosse Autos and McEwan Blacksmiths while Red Cross Scotland were also on-hand to assist.
NHS Forth Valley say that one GP reported being able to get to Buchlyvie surgery courtesy of a tractor – provided by a colleague’s husband.
And another doctor set off from his home in Bridge of Allan with the intention of walking to Forth Valley Royal Hospital – a distance of more than 14 miles. Fortunately he was offered a lift by local police which saved him completing the gruelling four-hour journey on foot.