Ambulance UK April 2021

EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT
In my job, I get my fair share of attending cardiac arrests and major trauma
incidents. I also get my fair share of meetings and emails. Sometimes I might say
more than my fair share. As you move up the ladder in any job, I think you find the
same thing; more meetings and more emails.
These are, of course, important. A large organisation like an ambulance service needs constantly to review
its policies and procedures. New guidelines come in, or new circumstances that we need to address. All of
these things need input, and that results in meetings and emails. There are certain days of the month when
you can almost hear the collective sigh, as we sit down for a long day of briefings, papers and updates. It is
important, but relentless.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
“A large
organisation
like an
ambulance
service needs
constantly
to review its
policies and
procedures.
New
guidelines
come in,
or new
circumstances
that we need
to address.”
There have been times when I could quite happily have given it all up. Instead, I went back to basics. I
started once or twice a week to find an ambulance that was single-crewed, and put my name down for a
shift. Not a staff appraisal shift, or a double-manager shift, but a shift with whoever happened to be on that
day.
My wife now says she can tell when I’ve been on an ambulance, because I come home in a better mood.
Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy the ‘big’ incidents; the cardiac arrests and the major trauma. However,
there is something about just logging on, and seeing what the day has to offer. The small things that can
easily be forgotten about when you leave your rota line and join ‘management’.
I tend to find whoever I’m working with is a little cautious at first. But it doesn’t take long before I’m just
another paramedic they are working with for the day.
This has not just been a benefit to my own well-being. It has also helped me with the other side of my work.
Whether we are talking about compliance with daily tyre checks, extended time on scene, or handover
delays; there is nothing quite like first-hand experience to inform your conversation. So, as we slowly return
to normality, I will be making every effort to keep to my ambulance shifts, and not let things drift back to
‘normal’.
Dr Matt House, Co-Editor Ambulance UK
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