> Yes, I've just spent my 8th NYE in a row on call, the last few in the
> department all night. How many GPs on the list do that? :-) Couldn't resist
> that...
This was the first New Year I have had off since I qualified, but then I
don't drink and I get paid by the hour so I suppose that's my own choice.
However, most of the GPs I know work either Christmas or New Year or both.
As it turned out I agreed to cover a vacant practice in Sutherland over
Christmas as no-one else was available to do it. I absolutely hate working
Christmas.
I did 90 odd miles on Christmas eve (all at <30 miles an hour due to the icy
roads) including a 30 mile round trip for a panic attack which carried over
midnight. We stopped to talk to the sheep (actually they were overtaking
us) on the way back at midnight but contrary to the old wives tale they
refused to talk back.
I had my actual Christmas dinner interrupted by a 30 year old patient who
insisted to the switchboard that they it was an emergency - they had had
worsening dyspepsia for 3 weeks with no other symptoms! Needless to say I
went back to my dinner before dealing with them further.
On another note, I recently found another use for my palmtop computer (no,
not as a door stop!). Usually I use it to fax letters to the hospital, but
on this occasion I was diverted whilst out and about to a lady with
palpitations and SOB who was in LBBB on her 12 lead. Whilst waiting for the
ambulance I had the receptionist fax me her previous 12 lead. list of drugs
and summary sheet via the mobile phone and psion. The old 12 lead was also
LBBB which, whilst not changing her management was at least useful
information.
Robbie Coull
email: [log in to unmask] website: http://www.coull.net
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