Into the murky deep

New work places are difficult enough, but as more and more students come straight from high school or university into career employment, very few have the life skills necessary to navigate the workplace

Standstill

There are lots of things that you see killing patients in ambulance. But often, it’s the things you can’t see that you need to worry about

Bee-Baw Bee-Baw Bee-Baw

Ambulances are dispatched on a triage basis, with the sickest people getting the closest and fastest vehicle. But the algorithm that works this out doesn’t always get things right.

Clinical judgement, arrogance……. or laziness?

How many times have you seen it? How many times have you done it yourself? At first, you start doing… Read more Clinical judgement, arrogance……. or laziness?

That sinking feeling…….

For the first time in my internship, I felt useless. A gentle hand fell on my shoulder, and a kind… Read more That sinking feeling…….

Fake it till you make it…… to hospital

20minutes ago she was having ‘seizures’ on the concrete in the alley next to the arts theatre. As I walked… Read more Fake it till you make it…… to hospital

The complications of patient confidentiality.

Few things in the medical world are clear cut. A colleague recently requested my opinion about a new patient they’d… Read more The complications of patient confidentiality.

My saddest job yet.

You see lots of sad things as a paramedic: A person leaving home for the last time, knowing that they’ll… Read more My saddest job yet.

When you’re at the mercy of your mentor.

I was ashamed and remarkably uncomfortable with the treatment (or lack thereof) my mentor had just given an elderly woman… Read more When you’re at the mercy of your mentor.