Open season

Almost that time again,

For those in the real world, with really jobs that don't operate at funny times, every six months almost all the hospital doctors in the country move jobs. On the first wed in August and Feb they change. New exciting roles, new responsibility.

For the rest of us we go on like nothing has changed.

Gripe warning

For my part this means that my role goes from being a paramedic with skills and a reasonable knowledge of prehospital care, to being treated as the porter that picked up the nicely wrapped up patient put them on a trolley and pushed them into hospital from the big White van with blue flashing corners

End of moan

Ok so it's not true of all the docs but some fall into this category, but it can be an interesting time normally for the first few weeks anyway. So for the rest of you, if you're going to get ill, do it before wed

Finally, last bit

So after two weeks of waiting for a letter that I was told would take 2 days arrived arrived, I filled it in and sent it away again. whether it is correct or not, that is another question. so once again go Mr postman. Registration here I come.

Always happens

Two days last week we had an observer. More people to inspire. For those who don't know observer is a person who wants to see what we do and has a good reason for it. Health professional, student, volunteer etc even the bucket boys occasionally. They spend the day with us and marvel at all the exciting things we do in our day to day job.

Or that's the theory
Two of the most boring days I have ever had on shift, the first we did three jobs and transported two pts and the second, we did five jobs and transported three pts.
This student nurse is now looking for a job in the Ambulance service.

Even an abusive drunk who threw things at us didn't put her off.
never mind. Funny didn't work in putting kal off Either

Then anyone who has seen our interesting working times and the sudden rush will know that we can appreciate the occasional quiet shift especially at events and concerts I think Scotmedicman will agree on that front. The greatest achievement we had was us both turning our faces scarlet midway through the day because we forgot sun cream. We will know better next time we are asked to visit edinburgh and watch 250 000 people (MPH) who want to march round Edinburgh.

Things you see

Darwin
Ok so I think some people should not be out, well lots of people.Driving back from a long day at work 'FYI CCU is great' but anyway. I reach a large roundabout leading from the motor way to town and I get passed by a 12 year old Astra. Nothing special but this car was different. As it passed I glanced across at the driver and car. The chap driving was in his late 50's pottering along with no particular place to go and nothing to think about. I suspect he was probably thinking I wish I didn't have to you my spare keys and I wonder where I left my originals.
My deduction was due to the slightly mystified look on his face and the set of keys hanging from the passenger door lock.

So being the good Samaritan I thought I should let him know but by this time he had passed and my opportunity was gone.
Then at the main roundabout at the end of the motorway. I pulled along side him at the traffic lights.

Yes the shortest this driver could have been driving is about 6 miles at between 60-80mph all the time with these keys in the side door.
And it got me thinking that you really don't spend much time checking the car on the passenger side. This chap had probably been looking for his keys for ages.

I tooted waved tooted some more but still looking straight ahead and the lights changed and he carried on with his journey oblivious.

The car on the far side looked over but he just sat. So off he went round the roundabout and straight on to another section of the road in his own little world. You try and help but sometimes.

And when he reaches his destination hope fully someone will tell him about his keys.

The Idea

I've been speaking to a lot of people about a blog and thinking about starting one for a while and finally here it is.
At present work has given me the opportunity to look at myself and with these new eyes, through training and experience, I want more. I love my job, I sometimes can make a difference. You can see that in the people that you treat, but we are bound by such limits that the provision of what you can do can be so limited that you think I could be doing more, I need to be doing more.
Sorry for the first real posting this may sound like the rant of a madman but those of you involved in prehospital medicine, be it ambulance service or VAS, might just understand
At present I have just completed my Paramedic qualification, well as soon as the paper work arrives I can practice. In comparison to the role I have been doing as a technician this is so much more. As part of the training you get to spend some time in hospital. I have enjoyed every min of this it was an opportunity to get training from people who are specialists in their field, enthusiastic at the job, well the majority are. The chance to pick their brains. And what did this do? It shouted at me THERE IS MORE YOU CAN DO . So the additional ATLS course was fun now back to the books to find another course. But for now I'm going to enjoy my new skills and soon hopefully I can practice. Go Mr postman

The start of something new

So this is my blog.