Tonight we’ve got a member of the National Ambulance Service joining us for an AMA. They wish to remain anonymous but they have verified with the mod team that they are a NAS worker.
They’ve worked on the frontline responding to 999/112 emergencies, from cardiac arrests and serious road traffic collisions to mental health crises and everyday medical emergencies across Ireland. The NAS now handles more than 400000 emergency calls every year with crews responding to life-threatening incidents right across the country
Ambulance crews work under huge pressure, often dealing with overcrowded hospitals, long handover delays and increasing call volumes, while still being expected to make critical decisions in minutes. Despite this, paramedics and EMTs continue to provide emergency care to thousands of people every week.
They’ll also be answering questions about the current industrial action. Paramedics and EMTs are striking over pay, staffing pressures and the Government’s failure to implement recommendations from the 2020 Roles and Responsibilities Review, a report recognising the expanded role and qualifications of ambulance staff over the last two decades.
Please post your questions below, they will be answering questions from 8pm.
National Ambulance Advanced Paramedic — Ask Me Anything
byu/Lamake91 inireland
Posted by Lamake91
19 Comments
You have a hectic job. How do you manage your stress levels and unpack everything after a shift?
Thank you for all the work you do, you’re a great bunch of lads. I’ve a few questions if that’s okay?
What’s the best part of your job and what’s the hardest part?
How does the team handle the aftermath of a traumatic situation? Are their supports in place?
Also, What did you think of Michael Martin’s comments about the strike?
The government should hang their heads in shame for how they’ve treated frontline workers like yourself, I’d like to see him do the job even for just one day. You deserve a massive pay rise.
No question, just support for your pay deal endeavours!
What’s the process for people who want to join?
Do you see yourself staying in this long term?
What frusrates you most about your job day to day?
How often do you have to deal with time wasters? e.g. someone calling 999 for a toothache and would you support fines for unnecessary emergency calls?
Who is the medical director in charge of treatment protocols in the event of communications failure? Who is in charge of the review of advanced treatment protocols and how often do they change based upon the results of the interventions administered; e.g. pediatric intubation.
If you could give advice to someone studying or wish to study paramedicine what would it be
In the case of people who regularly overdose from heroin for example and ambulances are called to services which accommodate heroin addicts – do ye get tired of it or frustrated?
I remeber seeing on the news the images of the rows and rows of ambulances in manchester at the tragic ariana grande concert bombing and thinking, how would we cope if a major incident like that happened in one of our cities , so could a limerick or galway actually deal with something like that, do ye plan for major cathastropic event
I’ve seen from certain media that you can deal with a level of abuse from the public, is that common when trying to assist someone?
What was the hardest hurdle to pass for qualification as a paramedic initially? 27 and considering it.
What’s the most rubbish reason you’ve seen someone call an ambulance for?
What’s the furthest you ever had to drive from base to a call? I heard you could end up anywhere in the country, is that true? Thanks for doing this and best of luck with the strike!
Why are ambulance control such absolute melters?
Do you have any helpful tips or advice for osces? I’m studying paramedicine in UCC at the moment and my EMT osces are next week!! Any tips or friendly advice would be greatly appreciated
How frustrated were you by the comments in the media by our Gov that basically insinuate that yous are all just greedy bastards that are now responsible for the death of old people because you wont drive your wee woo van?
Because I personally was disgusted on your behalf.
Good luck with the talks.
Are more responsibilities being moved to ambulance crews to make up for the short staffing in hospitals?