How the other half lives

Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics have had a chance to see how the other half lives, thanks to work experience sessions with the staff at Kenepuru Hospital’s Accident & Medical (A&M) clinic.

As part of a trial that will run between December and March this year, several Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics have completed an equivalent nursing shift with staff at the A&M clinic.

Service Manager Lynne Turner says the clinic already works closely with Wellington Free Ambulance, “but we wanted to show ambulance staff what we do, and why we might ask them to take somebody to Wellington Hospital if we think they need emergency treatment”.

Although it is often confused with an emergency service, the A&M clinic provides a service similar to that of a general practitioner (GP) or family doctor for acute care.

“Our nurses have all done an evening or afternoon shift with the paramedics so we’re just returning the favour,” she says.

Paramedic Kate McNabb has worked in rest homes and Wellington Hospital’s emergency department as part of her training but says she appreciates the opportunity to get to know the A&M environment.

“It’s good to see the challenges the staff face here and relate them to our own. It also lets the A&M staff know what skills we have and our shared roles, so that we can assist each other and work as a team. It builds trust, which is key to respect and communication.”

While ambulance services were mainly transport in the past, today things are much more sophisticated and paramedics highly skilled. For example, some health professionals were unaware that paramedics can administer thrombolysis to heart attack patients.

“It’s been really good for me, I’ve learnt a lot about every step from triage to nurse assessment, and what options are available if patients can’t see their GP.”

Working together also enables paramedics and doctors and nurses at the clinic to educate the general public about what they actually do, Kate says, “so they know who best to call and where they should go if they feel unwell”.

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