07 April 2025
By Gillian Morrison
As the Easter bunny is getting ready to deliver Easter treats up and down the country, NHS 24 is urging patients in Scotland to prioritise health during the holiday weekend.
NHS 24 has launched its spring public health campaign which promotes NHS inform – a clinically approved online resource for health and care information.
Dr Siama Latif, NHS 24’s associate medical director, highlights the convenience of digital resources: “NHS inform is an online health resource offering a wealth of information specific to patients in Scotland. The great thing about NHS inform is it is easy and convenient to use. Instead of having to call the NHS 24’s 111 service for minor health issues, you can quickly find the information you need online, anytime, and anywhere. This not only saves you time but also helps free up the phone lines for those who need urgent care.”
The Easter weekend is always busy for NHS 24, as patients often turn to 111 when other services, such as GPs or pharmacies, are closed for the public holidays.
Dr Latif, left, said: ““Our advice these Easter holidays is to be aware and be prepared.
“Be aware that many GPs and pharmacies are likely to have amended opening hours over the Easter weekend. If you rely on prescription medicine, review how much you have now. If you are likely to need more over the holiday weekend – order it now and remember to pick it up well in advance of any GP or pharmacy closures.
“You should also be prepared to deal with common illnesses. Viruses such as colds, flu, and sickness bugs still circulate in spring, so make sure you have remedies and painkillers available at home to help with symptoms.”
With more people spending time outdoors due to the longer days and milder weather, NHS 24 tends to see an increase in minor injury calls at this time of year. As a result, their spring campaign also advises the public to check what is in their first aid kit. Supplies such as plasters, bandages, and antiseptic wipes should be readily available to treat small cuts, scrapes, burns, and sprains.
Dr Latif added: “Remember, NHS inform should be your number one source for reliable, NHS-approved advice. Support our NHS services and access the right care in the right place this spring by choosing NHS inform.”
Meanwhile, quick thinking and immediate action by a senior charge nurse, David, saved his colleague Tracy’s life during a sudden medical emergency.
Tracy, a psychological wellbeing practitioner at an NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub, has shared her incredible story of survival after experiencing a sudden and life-threatening illness at home.
Tracy’s life took an unexpected turn on 16 June 2023. She recalls, “That day started totally normal. I was feeling fine, and I had no idea that I would suddenly become so unwell. While getting ready for a back shift at work, I suddenly experienced a thunderclap headache followed by blurred vision and vomiting.”
Thunderclap headaches are severe and sudden, signalling brain blood vessel problems or bleeding, and require immediate medical attention.
In this instance, Tracy, who has worked for the NHS for 30 years, had experienced a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a rare and often fatal type of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain.
“I felt so ill, I tried to contact my husband Gordon at work, but I was unable to reach him. That’s the last thing I remember,” said Tracy.
Unable to reach her husband, Tracy managed to contact her line manager, David McKissock, a senior charge nurse with over 16 years of clinical experience. David immediately recognised the urgency of the situation. “Tracy actually rang me on my personal mobile that afternoon, which was not normal for her at all,” said David. “When we started speaking, she did not sound like her usual self – there were notable differences in her speech, and she appeared really confused and vague. This raised a red flag for me.”
David immediately contacted the Scottish Ambulance Service by dialling 999, and paramedics were dispatched to Tracy’s home. She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for admission and assessment, and the following day, she underwent emergency surgery at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Tracy spent three and a half weeks in the hospital, including time in the Intensive Care and High Dependency Units. Her recovery was challenging, with memory issues, fatigue, and changes in taste and smell.
She relied heavily on her husband for daily activities and was unable to drive for nine months. Through engagement with occupational therapy and the brain injury team, Tracy gradually built up her strength and returned to work seven months after her illness.
Tracy’s health is being monitored regularly due to another small aneurysm in her brain, which due it’s size is not considered life-threatening. Her outlook remains positive: “If David had not contacted 999, I am sure I would not be here today,” she said. “I am eternally grateful to him for recognising the urgency of my situation but also for being an all-round great manager who genuinely cares about not only his colleagues but the patients we deal with every single day.”
Tracy’s advice to anyone going through a similar recovery is to accept support, take one day at a time, rest when needed, and know your limits: “For good mental well-being, exercising gently, having a healthy diet, and getting enough good sleep can really help to build up your activity and confidence. My number one tip to everyone though, is make every single day count. Live your life to the fullest.”
Dr Ron Cook, NHS 24’s Medical Director, said: “Tracy’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of quick thinking and immediate action in medical emergencies. At NHS 24, we are committed to providing the highest level of care and support to not only our patients, but every member of staff who works in our team. David’s swift response and the coordinated efforts of our colleagues in the Scottish Ambulance Service and the hospitals involved, exemplify the dedication and professionalism of our healthcare teams across Scotland. We are incredibly grateful for the positive outcome in Tracy’s case and continue to wish her well in all aspects of her recovery.”
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LEARN MORE ABOUT SUBARCHNOID HAEMORRHAGE:
an uncommon type of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain, often due to a ruptured brain aneurysm.Symptoms can include:
sudden severe headache (thunderclap headache)
stiff neck
nausea and vomiting
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
blurred or double vision
stroke-like symptoms (slurred speech, weakness on one side)
loss of consciousness
convulsionsA subarachnoid haemorrhage is a medical emergency; dial 999 immediately if you or someone else shows symptoms.
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#Team24 #HealthcareHeroes #EmergencyResponse #NHSScotland
- View NHS 24’s spring health advice by visiting the NHS inform campaign page.