Nicola's Churchill Adventure

I have spent this week in beautiful Glasgow. It has been a wonderful time meeting some extraordinary people and having some fantastic conversations. An absolute highlight was having the privilege to meet Sir Harry Burns, surgeon, former Chief Medical Officer of Scotland and champion for reducing disadvantage and highlighting the impact of early adverse experiences in people’s lifetime health and well-being.

Sir Harry bought me a coffee and we spent a fascinating 90 minutes discussing the current state of affairs in Scotland and beyond with regard to real change and implantation of policies and stated ambitions for Scotland to become the first ACEs aware nation. Harry shared stories, statistics, insights and ideas with the generosity of spirit and intellect for which he is renown. He spoke about a mentoring programme colleagues of his are involved in, and the joy they have in seeing a young man they had been working with having recently been accepted into medical school. This was a young man from one of the most disadvantaged parts of Glasgow, who didn’t have the money for bus fare often, but with some guidance from them and hard work has secured a future path.

We spoke about the importance of language, the challenges of implementing fundamental change, or realising the potential of intentions such as those set out in The Promise. A manifesto outlining ambitious changes to improves the lives and wellbeing of Scotland’s children. We strolled and chatted. He obliged to a selfie and we parted. He asked me to be in contact if I had any great ideas or insights.

You come up with it and I can help make it happen. Harry said, smiling broadly.

A short while later when buying a gift in a local galley I started chatting to the woman who ran the store. She asked about my time in Glasgow and I excitedly shared that I just had coffee with Sir Harry Burns. She smiled broadly and proceeded to tell me her experience with him. Her son had desperately wanted to be a doctor. He hadn’t gotten in to Med school so did Pharmacy, he tried again to get into Med school and failed. Then, Harry Burns offered her son the change to shadow him and be mentored by him for six months and supported his next application for Med school. Her son got in. Her son is now a doctor in paediatric A&E. She asked me to mention her and her son to Harry next time I am in contact. To thank him for helping her son. She was so proud and thankful. Is this an amazing coincidence, or just a product of a man who has dedicated his life to helping others that these stories are so easy to find?