SIXTY years ago this summer, the NHS was born and health care became free. Only those who can remember worrying about calling a doctor because of the cost can fully appreciate what the NHS meant to people in 1948.

Nurses' insight gave Frank a second chance

Frank Cairney says Southern General sister Sheila Mathieson helped save him HE MAY be nearly 87, but to Frank Cairney, of Cardonald, every day is a gift. "I've been given another chance," he says warmly. And Frank believes he owes that chance to senior staff nurse Sheila Mathieson and the rest of the team at Ward 65 of the neurosurgical unit at the Southern General. For it was Sheila and fellow staff nurse Laura McKinnon who saw the warning signs and sent him for the scan which saved his life. Last October as Celtic fan Frank was leaving Parkhead he had a cardiac arrest and was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. After an operation for a pacemaker, the widower seemed to be making a good recovery and went home to his daughter, Madeline Wilson, her husband, Andy, and granddaughter, Frances, eight. But at the time no one realised Frank had cracked his head when he fell. He had been home for about six weeks when his family saw he was disorientated. Fortunately Madeline and her husband are both nurses and they rushed him to the Western Infirmary, fearing he'd had a stroke. There, they were told he was suffering from a subdural haemorrhage and had only a 20% chance of survival. Frank had an operation and was home again recovering when his son, Martin, visited the ward with some chocolates. Sheila says: "We asked how Frank was doing and he said that his father was a wee bit muddled. We thought it might be another collection of blood so arranged for him to come for a scan next day." The suspicion was right, Frank was operated on again and bounced back. The staff of Ward 65 know Frank is normally as sharp as a tack because he has been a regular in the ward, delivering the Catholic newspaper for the past 30 years. Madeline said: "Frank has defied everyone. It is all down to the care he received in Ward 65. Sheila was just wonderful." Sheila paid tribute herself to sister Lilian Peters, who runs the ward. She says: "Ward 65 provides very, very good care."

From the standpoint of those who have known nothing else, we moan about the NHS when it gets it wrong.

Too often, we take it for granted when it gets it right.

But it's time to celebrate all the good things about the NHS.

In the next few weeks, you'll meet many of the amazing people who keep this service going - whether it is the health professionals or the armies of volunteers without which many services wouldn't exist.

To help celebrate the 60th anniversary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in partnership with the Evening Times and Radio Clyde, is asking the public to nominate NHS staff and volunteers for a special diamond award.

The awards aim to recognise the work of staff and volunteers and highlight the contribution they make to the NHS.

Andrew Robertson, chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "We know that the vast majority of people have a positive experience of the NHS and are grateful for the care and support they receive.

"We therefore wanted to give patients and the general public a chance to say thank you to the NHS staff and volunteers who have made a difference to them.

"NHS Diamonds come from all walks of life - they could be a doctor, nurse or a midwife, a receptionist, porter, cleaner or physiotherapist.

"They could also be one of the hundreds of volunteer drivers or tea ladies who work tirelessly behind the scenes and give up their own free time to help others.

"What sets them apart is their dedication, commitment and willingness to work above and beyond the call of duty."

The NHS Diamond Awards are open to all NHS staff and volunteers, including those who provide services in hospitals, health centres, clinics, GP surgeries, dental practices, pharmacies or even in your own home.

There are 10 award categories and individuals, teams or services can be nominated for more than one award.

Eunice Muir, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Nurse Director for Acute Services, said: "If you have been impressed by the skills of an NHS member of staff or benefited from the services provided by an NHS volunteer then we want to hear from you.

"If you find it hard to single out a single individual for praise then you can also nominate an entire team, department, centre or service.

WE are also keen to encourage nominations for administrative and support staff as their contribution to the NHS is often overlooked.

"We want to make sure they get the recognition they deserve."

If you have been impressed by the skills of an NHS member of staff or volunteer then we want to hear from you.

The deadline for entries is Friday, May 30, 2008 and winners in each category will be presented with a special award at a celebratory event in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday, July 5.

You can nominate individuals or teams for more than one category.