Foot on the gas as saving lives is all in a day’s work for paramedic
Paramedics carry out one of the most stressful, yet most important jobs in the NHS. The Welsh Ambulance Service saves countless lives every day through their specialist skills on the front line. Here, rapid-response paramedic and Unison member David Thoms
My day shift actually starts the night before. I iron my uniform and lay it out ready for the early start on Tuesday morning.
I also have quite a bit of equipment I need to make my working day much more comfortable, including my ID card, access card, a good torch, a chain to keep keys on, my personal digital camera pen (for patient report forms), normal pens, money, radio cover and belt clips.
When I have most of the kit ready, I really fancy a glass of wine and watching some late television, but one of my golden rules is never to have a drink if I am working the next day. Disappointed, I go off to bed at 10pm.
It’s 5.45am on a Tuesday morning when I jump in the shower and have some breakfast. Everyone is disturbed despite my best efforts to remain quiet.
I give kisses to everyone, and when I’m all ready I jump into the car at 6.30am. It’s dark and raining.
It’s a 15-minute drive to my ambulance station, which gives me time to think about what may lie ahead during the day.
Even after 23 years as a paramedic I can still feel some trepidation about what might lie ahead.
I arrive in work at 6.45am. The depot is busy and as it is a big station we have 20 or so vehicles, of which five are rapid-response vehicles. (RRVs)
Our crews do not all start at the same time so already two ambulances deploy quickly on jobs as I walk into the main building.
On my way in I spot my favourite RRV and throw my kit into it. Claimed! It’s mine for the day and it’s clean and tidy.
I say “hi” to a few colleagues who are chatting and getting ready in the kitchen. I then pop into the locker
I gave him some ‘ Choose Well’ advice, which is information on how to choose the best form of treatment for your ailment. It means ambulances and hospitals can be used by those patients who need them most.
I then found the number for his GP, room, trainers off, boots on, I get my he fell over yesterday on his way home the minor injuries unit and NHS kit bag and leave my car keys in the from the pub. Direct Wales. locker. His ankle had stiffened up and he I leave the
It has the signs of being a good day. was in a bit of pain. He thought he 8.20am. Someone has made me a really nice would leave it until the morning Back on duty, I am sent out to a discup of tea. The time is 6.55am and I before calling his daughter and the patch point which is a strategic locahead into the garages and begin to set ambulance. tion within high-demand hotspots. up my RRV. People in Wales have a very good I like this particular dispatch point,
Vehicle checked and ready to go, I ambulance service but it is too often if I actually get there. I can have a Starlog on to our computer dispatch sysnot used properly. bucks and use the free Wi-Fi at the tem and I am now ready to receive a There was a minor injuries unit just services. job if needed. The time is 7.13am. five minutes’ drive away, either by taxi No luck today. I am directed to turn
At 7.30am the first call comes in. It’s or by a lift from his daughter. around and drive towards another a male in his late fifties who has fallen There was also a GP out-of-hours deployment point. Then another. and we don’t know how long he has service. While I never tire of caring for We are often moved by our colbeen in that position. and supporting all patients, my job leagues, who are constantly analysing
I drive as fast as I can safely through and my training are for those whose demand. It does get a bit frustrating the constant rain. Upon arrival I get life is threatened. having to turn around, but time flies loadedby.upwithmykitandrushtotheForeverypatientwhoselifeisnot address. threatened, I am not able to support a Finally I get to an actual deploy
I am let in by the patient’s daughter, patient whose life is. ment point, park the car, walk to who had driven to see him. While the patient was in pain, he McDonald’s for a coffee, get the coffee
I am shown up to his bedroom. On really did not require an emergency and sit back in the RRV. examining the gentleman I discover ambulance. Not a sip taken and the call alarm
patient’s house
at beckons. A man is critically ill only about four and a half minutes away from where I am parked.
I acknowledge the job electronically, lights on, sirens on, I move rapidly away from McDonald’s, coffee untouched and seeping into the door pocket.
Information on the screen tells me that the patient has now stopped breathing and may be in cardiac arrest.
The roads are not too busy but it’s very wet, so I make as much speed as I can safely travelling in a 30mph zone.
Further information confirms that the patient is critically ill.
I arrive in good time, some three and a half minutes after the call has been received.
I get out of the car and an impatient driver behind nearly takes off my door as his car growls around me.
I grab the kit I need, including the defibrillator, and move towards the open door.
A relative greets me and I introduce myself as he points me to the kitchen, which is in complete disarray.
The gas cooker has been moved, the table is in pieces on the floor, as are