Filming a Day in the Life series with crews from all four of EMED’s divisions has offered us a unique and eye-opening glimpse into the daily challenges and highlights of working life on the road…
While working with Louise and Jo in Wellington this week, we heard about the sorts of things our Patient Care team deal with in the line of duty, including often being first on the scene at road traffic accidents.
The nature of our work at EMED means that our crews often witness or come across road traffic accidents and incidents. At times, we are the first to arrive at the scene. Though there may not be a formal professional obligation to stop and assist, we feel a moral responsibility to offer our first aid and healthcare skills to those in need.
Our colleagues often have stories of stopping to help members of the public in distress – what we call a ‘running call.’ Whether it’s someone who has fallen, been hit by a vehicle, or is in a moment of crisis, we understand the importance of lending a helping hand. While the welfare of our patients on board is always our priority, we recognise the moral obligation to provide assistance in these situations.
Other examples of getting involved beyond planned EMED journeys include assisting the police with traffic control when something goes wrong on the roads. In extreme cases such as a major incident, EMED would automatically be on notice to assist with the ‘evacuation’ of major hospitals, including moving patients from urgent care facilities and helping to facilitate patient discharge. In thankfully ultra-rare instances, such as train crashes, we may find ourselves transporting the walking wounded. Despite the rarity of these events, we are always prepared to step in and help, working closely with emergency service teams to provide support wherever needed.
Each of our colleagues remains vigilant and ready to respond, and we very quickly learn to expect the unexpected…
