Paramedic Phil

Newly-qualified Paramedic working in the South West

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

“We have not forgotten about you.”

This is an open letter from Dr Matt Morgan, a consultant in intensive care medicine at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, to the elderly, frail, vulnerable, or those with serious underlying health conditions, during the Covid-19 outbreak.

[Paramedic Phil @ParamedicPhil]

@davidwjc @KHoulgate Mentoring is 12-18 months in for most but we go on the RRV from 6 months! The pay difference can feel tough at times but I just think of all the old timers who were on band 5 for years!

[Paramedic Phil @ParamedicPhil]

@davidwjc @KHoulgate NQPs work on RRVs after approximately 6 months and officially mentor students in my trust!

[Paramedic Phil @ParamedicPhil]

@LeechCaroline *has

[Paramedic Phil @ParamedicPhil]

@LeechCaroline I think one of the hardest things is defining ‘head injury’ - if someone has reportedly had a very low impact fall where their head as bumped onto carpeted floor and they have no signs of external injury and no headache but take blood thinners would they always receive a CT?

[Paramedic Phil @ParamedicPhil]

@jw_bagpuss @LeechCaroline @padraic90 @emily_restell As an NQP I’ve faced this issue many times and struggled with benefits vs drawbacks of ED attendance... sometimes I have found it helpful to phone ED and ask whether they would scan or not. Might be useful to have a more formal pathway to check and provide support

[Paramedic Phil @ParamedicPhil]

@LeechCaroline @ProfSueMason I think increased support is key. Education has improved with university modules focussing on safe discharge on scene, sadly many paramedics still feel unable to make certain decisions due to fears of what will happen if ‘things go wrong’...