'THE recent bout of really severe winter weather has put significant pressure on the health service This is always a busy time for our NHS, but this year has been exceptional. Everyone in the health service has worked extremely hard to deal with the additional pressures they’ve faced over the last few weeks and I want to put on record my sincere and very grateful thanks to all the NHS staff who have worked so very hard delivering high levels of care during this period of sustained pressure.

Flu rates hit a peak of almost five times higher than the same period last year and hospitals are reporting a high number of people with already-significant care needs contracting flu, which is increasing demand even further.

We should all try to do our bit to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the health service and I want to remind everyone that it’s not too late to get the flu jab –if you’re eligible for vaccination on the NHS it’s important that you take up that offer and book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

Despite those pressures, it is really encouraging to note that the number of people seen within four hours at A&E departments across Scotland increased in the second week of January and the figures show that the health service in Scotland is the best performing area in the UK.

The difficult winter weather has also had a big impact on the roads and other forms of transport. I know that there were issues with some local roads and I have already contacted Council about specific concerns but I want to thank all the gritter drivers and others for their hard work over that spell.

Rail commuters will be very aware of the problems there have been with the train service to Edinburgh which are unconnected with any weather issues. I have been in touch on a number of occasions with Scotrail and with the Transport Minister who is monitoring their performance against the contract obligations.

Sticking with transport issues, we are now looking forward to another important milestone being reached in the development of the Queensferry Crossing - as of the first of February, it will be upgraded to motorway status.

This means there are changes to the type of vehicles that can use the new bridge, with non-motorway traffic no longer allowed access and using the Forth Road Bridge as an alternative.

To assist road users understanding of the new road and bridge layouts, as well as the features of the Queensferry Crossing, a guide has been published, 25,000 copies of which are being distributed. The guide is also being displayed in libraries, petrol stations, bus & train stations and tourist information offices.

If anyone has any questions about what the changes mean the guide can also be accessed online at www.theforthbridges.org/plan-your-journey/road-user-guide/'