Two articles in yesterday’s Guernsey Press highlighted just how vital it is for a small island to have access to excellent health and medical care.

The first was the remarkable tale of a mum who had a routine test, found that she has cervical cancer and then, as treatment progressed, that she was in the early stages of pregnancy.

Six months later with mother and baby doing well it is, as the family acknowledges, little short of a miracle. The specialist who treated her locally also indicated just how unusual the case was: one of the highlights of his career.

The second story involved a then six-year-old who contracted a nightmare virus which led to his vital organs starting to shut down. But for the comparative ease of access to Southampton General Hospital, his dad said, the youngster would not have survived.

These are tremendously uplifting stories told for two different reasons – the mother’s to urge women not to ignore smear test reminders and the father’s to support the campaign, which was started on Friday by another mum whose child was also saved, to retain Southampton’s cardiac unit.

All are rooted, however, in that need we all have for access to health care.

From the feedback to the cardiac unit stories, it is clear that islanders want to hold on to Southampton. Many of them whose stories haven’t been told have reason to be grateful for the first-class treatment it provides.

Momentum for the campaign is gathering but the voices of individuals are unlikely to have much impact on decisions being taken at the heart of the NHS and central government.

For that reason, the view of Health and Social Services and its input into the consultative process will be significant.

Instinctively, it is unlikely to want to get involved and will be more concerned with the quality of treatment available elsewhere.

However, in emergencies, time is of the essence and Southampton is convenient for Guernsey and islanders want to retain what has clearly worked for them over time.

Perhaps this is an occasion when HSSD should side with the users.