tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post1021215261182299328..comments2023-10-30T08:23:36.678+00:00Comments on Trying My Patients: The Good, The Bad and the UglyElla Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-37546323473070567422014-10-09T14:51:06.252+01:002014-10-09T14:51:06.252+01:00Cracking read & welcome back Ella. Scary thing...Cracking read & welcome back Ella. Scary thing is its not just the sharp end of the NHS feeling that way, its the whole thing! Far too many penpushing types with fanciful,impractical ideas that miss out on the basics. Rebuild from the bottom up, if they keep pruning the roots the tree will fall over in the next gust of wind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-67971668753497750542014-10-08T19:43:47.401+01:002014-10-08T19:43:47.401+01:00I hope you will accept this from a recently retire...I hope you will accept this from a recently retired paramedic-42 years service. These attitudes have always been there to a greater or lesser degree-its not a new manifestation believe me. I finished my time on the road but have been up the slippery pole-no I didn't slide down I retired. Colleagues I have spoken to since retiring, without exception, say that they are at their very lowest ebb for all the reasons listed -run ragged, constant change of rosters, your always wrong until you prove your innocent etc. Even the very best motivated are creaking. Is this repairable in the short-medium term? I doubt it the fractures are too deep. I think a fundamental review of what the Ambulance Service should be would be a start. Why is the Service the "catch all" for everything else that no one wants to deal with? Why is there an expectation that you will always get an ambulance? Give the staff time to draw breath sometimes and we may, just may, start to see an uplift in goodwill again. Because as sure as eggs is eggs, it cant run without it. Just look at the loss of core shifts in Shropshire because staff do not want any more overtime for the above reasons. Getting out was the best move I ever made. What a sad indictment after 42 years.Rob Kelseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-15550323985683316422014-10-08T17:14:06.891+01:002014-10-08T17:14:06.891+01:00My daughter is a paramedic and I could not be more...My daughter is a paramedic and I could not be more proud of her. She works hard, long hours and from my heart I know she gives a wonderful and caring response in all situations. Sadly what Ella says is true. What to do as a member of the public? I can but promote the Paramedic profession and hope beyond hope some sense prevails over future governments to act in a more long term responsive way! Let's hope they do....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-46247432283840641072014-10-08T10:56:35.195+01:002014-10-08T10:56:35.195+01:00You should be very proud of what you have written ...You should be very proud of what you have written here, accurate and to the point and obviously heartfelt. For the reasons you have pointed out, I strongly believe that it will never change for the better, it has progressively got worse over the 20 years that I suffered it - yes, I am one of those who has given up, and it feels great! If I may, I would like to add one aspect to your piece that I believe is the core reason that things will never improve - PERSONALITY. If you treat people without respect (and this is the main issue), they will respond as is their personality, and although it is best not to make this problem seem all about money, to most, Band 5 is a sign of disrespect. Not so just because of what they give, but also because they know what the job takes from them. Revenge (due to lack of respect given), is the key personality trait that will prevent any real progression, to many the only satisfaction they have is knowing that things will never improve until they are treated appropriately and so in the meantime they just sit back and watch it implode. Important to add though, these people never became like this overnight, they are not 'bad' people. If 10 new Paramedics are reading this today, firstly my advice would be to pack it in and go use your degree where you and it will be valued, secondly, at least 5 of you will become the above and you won't realise it until it's too late to change! The best thing that has happened over recent years is that the Paramedic qualification is recognised outside of the Ambulance Service, so finally we can vote with our feet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-21012630511316520382014-10-08T08:59:23.973+01:002014-10-08T08:59:23.973+01:00i would just like to say that i do agree that the ...i would just like to say that i do agree that the nhs needs improving but for all the times i called for an ambulance when my baby was having seizures the ambulance crews were amazing from the people on the phone trying to keep me calm to the first responder that came to help & the paramedics that got us to the hospital! i think you guys do an absolutely amazing job n i for one would have been clueless without your help! Your doing a fab job guys please don't give upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-49903057257400634502014-10-08T01:45:51.376+01:002014-10-08T01:45:51.376+01:00Abu Dhabi- But it's no better there where crew...Abu Dhabi- But it's no better there where crews are forced to work as much as 72 hours a week without overtime. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-40542296741694256462014-10-08T00:56:35.097+01:002014-10-08T00:56:35.097+01:00Hi there I have been in the service now for almost...Hi there I have been in the service now for almost two years(one year probation). Everything you said in your blog I can relate to and have experienced myself. I have worked in many areas of front line care and its the same all over. Morale is at an all time low. I spent the first year of my career as a student so eager wanting to make a difference in any situation. 10 months post qualifying I am looking at my prospects and 're assessing my future. I have came into an unfortunate area and progression to para course is looking further and further away. Every day I am feeling more negative about this career choice that I sacrificed so much for to be treated like the weakest part of the chain by other professionals and ruined by management. So much could be done to improve but your absoloutely right the job is full of people who just take the easy route and have been worn down after years of bad treatment. Unfortunately what staff forget is inevitably it's the people who genuinely do need us that suffer in the end. The public. Is that not why we started on this path to help people? Written by a worn out technicianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-63726496249555653722014-10-08T00:51:50.001+01:002014-10-08T00:51:50.001+01:00Absolutely amazing and truthful article. I left th...Absolutely amazing and truthful article. I left the Service in 2013, not due to the reasons stated (even though there are totally true), but to move to another country.<br />I have seen the type of people we have all mentioned, the (lets face it) LAZY ones, the ones who don't give a rats ass about cars waiting for crews. <br />There are some very very good paramedics out there, alas they are all being dragged down by mis-management, too many chiefs and not enough Indians, over paid chiefs to-boot. <br />Keep up the good work<br />LAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-52452662858176997052014-10-08T00:25:28.615+01:002014-10-08T00:25:28.615+01:00You are right when you mention this government'...You are right when you mention this government's policy to denegrate and demoralise the ambulance service. <br />(And indeed the whole of the nhs).<br />It will then be perceived to be a failure and be ripe for picking off by private companies, owned or share - held, by Cameron and Osborne's millionaire buddies, none of whom need the public sector.<br />wake up and 'smell the coffee' when it comes to voting...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-72715311503171126092014-10-07T17:38:37.247+01:002014-10-07T17:38:37.247+01:00Absolutely fantastic that someone has finally put ...Absolutely fantastic that someone has finally put into words exactly what has been happening for over the past 30 years. It needs a total prune from top to bottom...get rid of the dead, negative wood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-43127644774430165862014-10-07T12:56:31.237+01:002014-10-07T12:56:31.237+01:007 years as relief...no fixed station, no fixed cre...7 years as relief...no fixed station, no fixed crew mate, no locker, no set shift pattern. When I raise a comment, its shot down with "your opinion doesn't count....you're not core staff". And they wonder why I'm reluctant to help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-8327363802139883782014-10-07T12:41:36.580+01:002014-10-07T12:41:36.580+01:00spot on - I moved into another area 9 years ago an...spot on - I moved into another area 9 years ago and the feeling are similar but a little behind the ambulance service. the phase 2 of the keogh report is the way ahead for staff and the service but the money for staff, traning and equipment needs to be there to. Yes staff want a fair wage for the job they do and the responsibilities they take - A fair wage, thats all<br />Keep writing and we will keep spearding it - it might just fall on the ight, rather than deaf, ears<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-64592897447753876942014-10-07T11:20:57.342+01:002014-10-07T11:20:57.342+01:00I'm just starting out as a student, it's b...I'm just starting out as a student, it's been my ambition to be a para for a long time. However, having worked in and around the service for a while I know exactly what the situation is like at the moment. My worry is that it'll get worse before it gets better, due to the change in degree for paramedics, being brought in next year, there will be no influx of graduates in 2017, will the service be changed enough by then that graduates will be more inclined to stay? Because if it isn't and the rate of attrition carries on the way it's going, the shortage is about to get a lot worse.<br />I for one am proud of what I do and I I want to help protect the NHS but I'm not blind enough to know that paramedicing isn't a life long career anymore, paramedics tend to burn out and move on (be that elsewhere or into clinical support roles in control) within about 5-10 years tops, without injury.<br />Are we fighting a losing battle? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-55827259840690773392014-10-07T03:45:00.705+01:002014-10-07T03:45:00.705+01:00The NHS is not being ruined by politicians cuts i...The NHS is not being ruined by politicians cuts its frozen)! its being ruined by its top heavy structure! with overpaid upper and middle management as well as support services, consulting groups, trust boards etc All with a fetish for targets yet are lavishly spunking public money on artworks for there headquarters and private finance initiatives. ( which will turn out very costly in the long run!). <br />So what is my answer !!!! Take the axe to the top and trim it down!!!!!!! Wait we carnt , agenda for change! <br />The money is in the pot but is squandered, fleeced and mismanaged. So why throw good money after bad!<br />All clinical staff know the problems and many have ideas on how to improve the service , yet these people do not have a voice due to the size, scale and fear of the organisation above them. <br />The ambulance service is being hammered at the moment but what are the causes,is it cuts ? I'm not sure im seeing more ambulances and staff appear on the road than ever before.!!<br />Id say its demand but is this due to more ill people or just miss management!<br />Take 111 if the public required an ambulance, would they not ring 999 ?? Or in this litigation conscious culture is it not right to suggest the public has common sense! <br />Also the massive investment in the lucrative care home sector !!! Which i basically a B&B service, extortionately charged to elderly people by fat cats for maximum profits! Whilst paying there staff pittance an understaffing very often. (medical covers free any problems ring the ambulance service they have to come and it doesn't affect profit margins, like training would.!!!!!<br />Anyway sorry for the rant.coopizlcoccAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-47931145492834006752014-10-07T01:22:11.639+01:002014-10-07T01:22:11.639+01:00Thank you for a well balanced and informative arti...Thank you for a well balanced and informative article.while I have no direct involvement in LAS I did work in a neighbouring service as a paramedic and some of the experiences you highlight reflect my own. 5 years ago I resigned and left for Australia to work as a paramedic and things are so different here, I now have a career in which I am genuinely valued as a professional person by my employer and the community at large. It saddens me greatly that the nhs is broken probably beyond repair despite the very best efforts of the majority of staff and from an outsiders view may reflect british society in general. I digress. Interesting to note that LAS director of ops has been here recently on a recruitment drive does he seriously think paramedics here would willingly swap the lifestyle here for the lifestyle there.let really don't think so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-61064397776244314342014-10-07T00:07:57.835+01:002014-10-07T00:07:57.835+01:00Good post! A while back at a station meeting our c...Good post! A while back at a station meeting our chief executive was asked what he was going to do to prevent experienced staff from leaving... His response staggered us; "Nothing", he said... "Staff have ALWAYS left for one reason or another, and new staff have ALWAYS come in to replace them. I don't need to alter that cycle". That is the mentality we are up against.<br />I've been in for 20 years now and things really are bad. However we have a massive body of very young and newly qualified staff who have never known anything different. For them they are doing a job they want to do and let's face it, as a 20 year old fresh out of Uni going into a first job the money isn't bad. So what have they got to complain about? It's only us Dinosaurs that moan about being expected to drive at 100 miles an hour everywhere, not getting breaks, refusing to carry people you know damned well can walk, etc... <br />Keep up the good work<br />Diagnosis? LOL! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-42743033420313549002014-10-06T23:59:20.921+01:002014-10-06T23:59:20.921+01:00So true especially the management bit So true especially the management bit Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-64666373244223999872014-10-06T23:57:33.981+01:002014-10-06T23:57:33.981+01:00Look, I know the game. We all do. Yes, we are run ...Look, I know the game. We all do. Yes, we are run ragged to the point of breaking, but anyone who says they don't have the chance for a cuppa is telling a fib! I drink far to much of the stuff, mainly to get me through the horrendous runs of shifts you mention. But there are people, clearly not your husband, who will sit in their cab sat at hospital and ignore broadcasts for cardiac arrests. Only two nights ago I heard a crew say 'Fuck em' when it was broadcast. It's these people I refer to and it's these people that are the cancer of the service. 90% are dedicated hard working people, but it's the 10% who can't be bothered, have lost compassion, persistently negative and obstructive with progress that are crippling the service! Ella Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379522083602755280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-57556342309573015462014-10-06T23:56:26.186+01:002014-10-06T23:56:26.186+01:00A&E is just the same its sapping the life out ...A&E is just the same its sapping the life out of me and thats sad as I love my job but the pressure is enormous and 60% of patients shouldnt even be thereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-84350288198608322412014-10-06T23:42:24.734+01:002014-10-06T23:42:24.734+01:00As the wife of a paramedic I agree with most of wh...As the wife of a paramedic I agree with most of what you say, but sorry, standing around drinking tea??? not on my husbands shift love, he doesn't ever get the chance!!! now doing 12 hours straight with never a break and once every 12 weeks he has to do 7 twelve hour shifts in 8 days!! The staff are run ragged. When they have a genuine need to return to station, (soiled uniforms, ambulances awash with blood!!!) they are treated with disdain by the controllers who seem to permanently assume they are looking for a chance to skive. They are exhausted and treated very poorly, management believe the best way to deal with the staff shortages is to just beat the staff more with sticks, push them ever harder to make up the shortfall. No wonder the service is losing staff at an ever increasing rate. Perhaps management could go back to treating the staff as human beings, it might help. But yes, things will certainly get worse before there is any improvement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-67415698185590164582014-10-06T23:25:01.706+01:002014-10-06T23:25:01.706+01:00Wow. I couldn't have put that better myself. ...Wow. I couldn't have put that better myself. I left the ambulance service for all of the reasons you have put. I was simply feed up with being left to deal with dying patients and no back up. I am happy now, working elsewhere in health care. And I think that working for the ambulance service as it is now is a terrible job. Hand on heart I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and that really saddens me. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-28180955557968406232014-10-06T23:23:02.792+01:002014-10-06T23:23:02.792+01:00Excellent post Ella, and a very accurate picture y...Excellent post Ella, and a very accurate picture you've painted of conditions and problems faced by ambulance staff across the UK. It's so refreshing to hear someone speak out about some of the home truths that don't normally come to light too.<br /><br /> Many colleagues I speak to are still under the impression that Trusts need more vehicles to do the job currently required of us. Whilst I feel like I'm the only person saying we should invest in urgent care, hear and treat, and more pathways for low acuity patients whilst increasing non-conveyance rates,<br /><br />If I'm totally honest though I think it is the demoralised, and bitter, staff that don't want to do anything other than take people to hospital because it's what's always been done and is most risk averse, these are the same people that complain about 12 hour shifts, but won't work anything else offered because off the potential loss in unsocial shift enhancement or whole days off, the same people who complain about not getting meals on time whilst hanging out at hospital to make sure an out of window payment is earnt, regardless of how many cars are sat on scene screaming for back up... These are the people in the wrong job, yet have no intention of leaving until they've made sure everyone else is as demotivated and miserable as themselves!<br /><br />Keep up the good work :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-43072872284538937462014-10-06T23:17:31.732+01:002014-10-06T23:17:31.732+01:00Where is Sir Francis when you need him !!!Where is Sir Francis when you need him !!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-23438749152865219752014-10-06T23:10:06.909+01:002014-10-06T23:10:06.909+01:00Nowhere is the reality of this collapse clearer to...Nowhere is the reality of this collapse clearer to see than in the seat of the Ambulance Diapatcher. The pain of every patient, the agony of the lengthy waits and the understandable fatigue/dispair of the once-dedicated road staff. <br /><br />It's going to take true team effort, innovation and goodwill to survive... So "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of....."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4489565303994499222.post-51181587301658948152014-10-06T22:17:49.654+01:002014-10-06T22:17:49.654+01:00I have had a couple of trips in ambulances and als...I have had a couple of trips in ambulances and also worked as an ECA for a couple of years, so I have seen both sides of the service.<br />I worked for SJA, and wearing those bright greens just meant you were a doormat for most triage nurses and some paramedics.<br />Some paras really had a passion for the job but some were just so rude and ignorant. Is this lack of morale or people in the wrong job? I was so disappointed when I was turned down for an EMT1 role, and now work in medical engineering.<br />I must admit my current job is less stressful, with better pay and conditions. I used to hate coming home for dinner at nearly midnight, never seeing friends or family. But I loved helping patients.<br />I have been to some bad trauma jobs, and seen some distressed relatives.<br />Privatisation of the ambulance service would mean worse vehicles, less training, more hours and less support. Unfortunately the people who love the job stay on the road, and the ones who CBA look for office days, and this poor attitude has its affect on the service.<br />I thought I could one day make a great paramedic. But you need to think about yourself. I really hope that if I ever need an ambulance again I get someone who is selfless and passionate, instead of some that I have had the displeasure of working alongside.<br />Sometimes you think patients are wasting time, but put yourself in their position. How would you feel?<br />The service needs shorter shifts, with longer breaks and FFS moved up to Band 6! There are some people who are rinsing the NHS with no intension of working and managers need better power to sack tge idle and reward the faithful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com