NHS staff say job gets 'harder and harder' every year
As the NHS marks its 70th year we speak to staff on the frontline of care to hear their views.
They never know what could be coming through their doors but every day across Scotland NHS staff take on the vital role of caring for those in need.
As the NHS prepares to mark its 70th anniversary we speak to staff on the frontline of patient care in Scotland to find out what it is like to work in the present day health service.
Dr Calvin Lightbody works at University Hospital Hairmyres in South Lanarkshire and says he feels his team are "firefighting" to cope with the growing number of patients.
The emergency department at the hospital deals on average with 198 people every day.
"The challenge is really about trying to get patients in, get them seen, get them assessed, get treatment started and then hopefully either get them either discharged or moved to a bed in the hospital ward," says Dr Lightbody.
"This job gets harder every year. The challenges get more and more every year."
Despite the challenges, staff say they are continually looking for ways to make improvements.
"There is always going to be a point where you are going to feel overwhelmed," says surgical nurse practitioner Chris Bain. "But I think, with my experience in nursing, you get through it."
Watch our full report above by STV journalist Sharon Frew.