R.I.P. Sam Galbraith

[Doc Alan]

Former Scottish health minister and Labour politician Sam Galbraith has died today ( 18 August ) aged 68. Condolences to his widow and their three daughters. He had also held the post of education minister in Scotland’s first devolved government.


He had been a brilliant neurosurgeon, and was one of the world’s longest surviving lung transplant patients ( for a chronic scarring condition of the lungs, in 1990, at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital ).


Sam was a strong supporter of Scottish devolution, but had recently expressed fears that cross-border access to specialist health care could be threatened by a “ Yes “ vote in next month’s referendum. Some of his thoughts :-


On his condition and treatment :-


• " There were no forms to fill in, no money to be considered."


• " It was all just done because people needed it done."

• " I fear for that under a separate Scotland."

• " I worked for the NHS, I looked after it as a minister, and then I experienced its benefits first hand as a patient. "

• " I was really desperately ill – days from death – and the British NHS kept me alive."

• " Throughout all this I had lots to worry about but I never had to worry about who was paying for it or where. When you’re dealing with a foreign country, it is different. And when you go to a foreign country you can be sure there will be forms and money will have to change hands. " ( SO true of the Philippines ).



On the SNP :-


• " It’s always seemed odd to me that they want separation but everything will stay the same."

• " There’s a bit of a conundrum there. Some things will continue but it will not be the same."

• " It’s not just for my treatment. There is terrific co-operation between Glasgow and Newcastle."

• " It’s about other things, like training. We all intermingle, that’s how these relationships get started."

• " We train together, our students move around, and it works really well."



I’m not expecting loads of responses to this thread - but I have a personal reason for sadness today.


Sam Galbraith was a student in my year at Glasgow University and we shared our first posts as junior doctors at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary. Not only was he a brilliant student and doctor, but made the transition to politics – which I could never have done !


An inspiration to me and many others . He will be missed.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...itics-28843095

[Arthur Little]

An inspiration to me and many others . He will be missed.

, Alan ... I'm sure he was and will be; RIP, Sam Galbraith!

[Doc Alan]

, Alan ... I'm sure he was and will be; RIP, Sam Galbraith!

Thanks Arthur .

For members ( probably most ) who haven't heard of Sam, please forgive me for posting this thread. He was a Health Minister who knew what he was talking about, and a personal friend.

[bigmarco]

He was a health minister who knew what he was talking about, and a personal friend.

A rarity in modern day politics Doc

RIP Sam Galbraith and long may the NHS continue in it's current form. Something we should all be proud of.

[grahamw48]

A worthy person who had to leave too soon.

RIP sir.

[Doc Alan]

Thank you Marco and Graham, really appreciated .