While still growing in her mother’s womb, Niamh Currie was diagnosed with spina bifida.
Her mum, Gillian, was supported and cared for throughout her pregnancy by NHS Fife’s foetal medicine team but Niamh contracted meningitis shortly after being born.
As the NHS prepares to celebrate turning 65, Gillian has come forward to highlight how the health service helped her family, especially now her daughter is a largely healthy and happy two-year-old.
The Currie family, from Dunfermline, believe the care little Niamh and Gillian received made a huge difference to both parties.
Gillian said: “Eighteen weeks into my pregnancy, a hospital scan revealed that our baby had spina bifida.
“From the moment we received this diagnosis, the NHS foetal medicine team at Forth Park Hospital in Kirkcaldy were hugely supportive and provided us with advice and guidance whenever we needed it.
“When Niamh was born she contracted meningitis and required specialist care at the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh. The care she received here was also incredible and all staff members made a very difficult time as easy as possible.
“Niamh is now two years old and we still visit the hospital regularly for check-ups and treatment and I continue to marvel at the help and support given to us by all the NHS doctors and nurses.
“The NHS is one of those incredible organisations whose work often goes unnoticed. That all changes when yourself or family member is taken ill and you rapidly realise that it’s your knight in shining armour.
The care both myself and my daughter have received from the NHS has been exceptional and it has made a huge difference to our health and happiness.
“I cannot thank the doctors and nurses enough.”
Gillian is one of 65 Scots who joined forces today to mark the NHS’s 65th anniversary on Friday.
The group have shared their stories of how the NHS either saved or improved their quality of life and sent their thanks to the dedicated and selfless staff that nursed them back to health.