Fife councillor signs up to help NHS during pandemic

The Scotland Cares Campaign, which was launched last month, has so far seen 76,000 people sign up to volunteer and help communities and public services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This has included over 35,000 with Volunteer Scotland and nearly 19,000 with the British Red Cross who have been tasked with delivering food parcels, ensuring essential supplies and medicines reach vulnerable people and phoning those who need assistance or companionship.

Within health and social care, offers of employment were made across NHS Scotland with over 23,000 health and social care workers returning to work, and students joining the service.

Among them is East Neuk and Landward councillor John Docherty, who has re-registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Councillor Docherty, who was elected in 2012, previously worked in the NHS as a nurse for 37 years and latterly as the Equality and Diversity Coordinator.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who has come forward locally to support local charities, public services and health and social care.

“Some of you may have already started helping, others will still be in the process of undertaking checks or going through induction programmes. You are all a tremendous asset to your country and communities.

“I also made the decision to re-register as a nurse. While I am looking forward to being a nurse again, it’s unfortunate the reason why, but we all have to come together and support where we can.”