Friday 17 February 2012

A special relationship......

"22 year old male. Unconscious and bleeding heavily"

A weekend in the city wouldn't be the same without drink, drugs, violence, vomit, blood and blue lights. More often than not, all the above are on the first job of the night. Today was no different. We were on station but our shift hadn't started yet. In a garage that holds 8 ambulances and 8 cars, our truck sat alone & being a Sunday night there was no management around and no admin staff. It was just us doing our VDI when the phone rang. We had already spoken to control to give our fleet number and skill level so they knew we were there so we had to answer! It was a begging phone call pleading for us to start early as there was a Cat A call and no other resources to send. Obviously we obliged, so not really knowing if we were missing anything we shot out the garage. It was only 3 miles we had to travel but doing that at 18:00 on the day of a Spurs vs Arsenal match and heading to Tottenham causes bit of a tricky drive. That aside, we arrived about 15 minutes later to a sea of blue lights. In the road was a guy lying on his back surrounded by police. As I stepped out the vehicle I could see a considerable amount of blood on the WPC's hands. The closer I got, the more blood I could see on all of their hands. What a mess!

The guy had been stabbed numerous times in the leg and once in the stomach and he wasn't in good way. He was pale, sweating and very drowsy. The police were applying fantastic pressure to the wounds so I took a moment to come up with a plan whilst listening to a vague handover. No one was exactly sure of what happened but what they did know was that a large crowd of 'anti emergency service' youths was gathering and were shouting abuse at us and the police. I called for HEMS back up or an FRU. In fact I believe I actually said "send me anything". If ever there was a reply which summed up David Cameron's reign of terror on front line services this was this:

"Sorry, we a spread thin. HEMS are tied up and there is nothing else available at the moment. We've got A & E support running from 13 miles away but until then you'll have to make do. As soon as something comes up I'll send them. Sorry guys"

Still think cuts to emergency services is wise? Hmmm! I wanted someone who could assist in major trauma. No disrespect to A & E support but they are not even aloud to do an ECG or give Calpol. They would be as useful as a chocolate teapot. It was us and the police. I started cutting the guys clothes off. He was panicking but we were far to pre-occupied with his life threatening injuries to be able to talk to him. Cue the police. Not only are their 12 officers trying to keep the crowd back, trying to protect us from some missiles that were being thrown but were applying pressure to wounds, opening dressing, passing us kit and constantly re-assuring our patient. No instructions needed. They just did it. The main source of bleeding was his groin. It was an arterial bleed and was taking all of my energy to apply the pressure needed to slow it down. My crew mate was placing orange cannulas (wide bore cannulas for trauma) in both his arms and drawing up fluids. It was a real mess. 

I was aware of two things. Firstly, the crowd was becoming angrier by the minute and things were getting rather volatile between them and the officers who were now almost making a cordon around us. Secondly, our patient may well die where he lay if we didn't move soon. Again, without prompting the trolley bed appeared. The police knew we had no hands to do it our self. Normally we'd use a scoop or sheet to lift someone but with the number of bodies we had at our disposal it was just a case of lift and run. We got him on board and put in the blue call to the trauma centre. As we were about to leave an FRU turned up. He dumped his car and at our request, drove the ambulance. In the back was me and my crew mate and three cops. The three who had saved our patients life. We arrived at hospital and bundled into resus. The guy was transferred and hospital staff took over from us. Off we went to the blood bath that was our truck. There was blood everywhere, everyone was saturated but it was a good job done by all. 

This job itself would have stood up well as a blog in it's own right but for me it was a great example of the special relationship between the ambulance service and the second best emergency service; the police! (sorry guys, couldn't miss out on the banter). No matter what the job is, there is a respect and admiration between the two of us. We wave as we pass each other on the road (take note fire brigade) and there is always a welcoming look of relief when one of us arrives at the others scene. This was a perfect example of two public services working well together for one purpose. The police come under a lot of stick and put up with much more abuse and violence than we do and normally shrug it off as being part of the job but that isn't good enough. They are a fantastic bunch of people who do the toughest job in the most difficult of circumstances. This country is lucky to have such an outstanding force and the sooner that is recognised by the mindless minority the better. This guy WOULD have died, I have no doubt, if the police hadn't done what they did but it won't gain them any respect or thanks from the idiots who abuse them. It wasn't their job. It was ours but they did what they had to do. I wrote a letter of thanks to their police station, only knowing their shoulder number. I hope it got to them. That's the funny thing. There are so money different police and so many different ambulance crews, most of the time we are working along side officers we have never met yet the respect and professionalism never wavers. Time after time, we call them when there is even a hint of danger and they come running. I'll always be in their debt and as such will always be more than willing to give my call sign, even on the ninth time of asking. Bless 'em!


22 comments:

  1. Totally agree. Proud to work along side them. Hope the pt outcome was good excellent blog AGAIN

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brilliant! As an officer and the wife of EMT I have much respect for the LAS and love the fact we work well together. Thank the lord for common sense!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brilliant blog once again

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Police put up with a lot of abuse from the public. We have a great working relationship with the local Police. I have to say whenever we ask for their assistance because pt is being aggressive/violent they always turn up en mass and quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As a police officer, I'm touched reading this. It's nice to hear praise. All we normally get from the public, the media, & management is crticism & "You're not doing enough!"
    The Ambulance service are highly respected amongst all officers I know. You do what I don't think I could.
    Stay safe out there, & keep waving !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If anything my waves are over enthusiastic!

      Delete
  6. Fantastic blog yet again. Keep knocking them out!

    As for our jolly friends in blue, Ella has put into text what we all think and don't say enough. Thanks guys, I would often rather have one ofd you by my side than some of my acute care colleagues.

    I'm also glad to say that we have as much of a good relationship with the fire quenchers. They're always willing to act as drip stands, muscle and provide tea at the drop of a hat. Cheers guys!

    ReplyDelete
  7. 26 April 2012
    I am extremely grateful to ALL the emergency services without whom our country would be in chaos.
    Thank you to all the life-savers everywhere.
    Best wishes
    Rosemary Cantwell

    ReplyDelete
  8. 'Time after time, we call them when there is even a hint of danger and they come running. I'll always be in their debt and as such will always be more than willing to give my call sign, even on the ninth time of asking. Bless 'em!'

    God invented policemen so fire fighters can also have heroes.

    Awesome post from our brothers & sisters in green.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And god invented Paramedics so Police could have heroes!

      Delete
  9. Retired police officer and I have great admiration for what you greenys do. The only time I've ever fallen out with you was in 1980 when you went on strike and as an advanced first aider I had to staff a police van in your stead with some army medics to assist. But that was 33 years ago and you weren't probably even born then! Now we are all united in our condemnation of what the present government is doing to the brave people who do the jobs they wouldn't have the balls to do themselves. Can you imagine some of them at a cot death, cleaning up 'grey matter', scooping and running when the crowd get hostile? No, well I can't either. Please - all of you stay safe out there and remember that the vast majority of the public love and admire you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you!! From a girl in blue to a girl in green - we love you guys too!! Always there when we need you and, as you said, no need for lengthy debates or need for instruction we just get on and work together.

    As for the abuse, it's like water off a duck's back to me now, but it infuriates me beyond belief when you guys have to suffer it.

    Excellent blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Retired Police Inspector here. Thank you for this blog, your phrase "there is always a welcoming look of relief when one of us arrives at the others scene" sums it up for me. I did not even see us as seperate , we were a team , working hard to keep each other safe and the public from hurting each other and helping all those needing our help.

    I am so glad to hear it is still the case. In these dark days for all public services it was great to read that you are still looking after each other and are not allowing the Divide & Rule politicians to harm the 'special relationship'

    I am espcially pleased that the guys and girls in the Police will see from this blog that they are respected and appreciated by fellow heroes and heroines! Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  12. From a bit in blue to a hero in green. don't ever stop waving and keep the faith. you all do a great job. I always wonder how you put up with the abuse from people you are trying to help. at least when I get abused I can dole out proportionate justice!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! All bloggers do! If you have something to say, agree or disagree I would love to hear it! I will reply to all! (or try my very best!) If however, you're a troll, save your breath!

Due to an increase in spam I moderate comments but ALL genuine comments will be posted. See above exclusions!