Further to the little discussion I inadvertently caused about my use of the
term "punters" I would like to add that I do not really see it as a term
meaning offence. Possibly that they are all mad but the maddest people in an
A and E department are usually the staff (and I'm glad of it). I have
affection for them all (well, most).
What does cause me offence, and I find so more and more, is referring to
patients by thier symptoms or, even worse, which bed or cubicle they are in.
It seems to be the trend, where I work, to refer to "Blue 2" or "Red 4" etc.
Not even "the patient in Red 7". Ofen it means nothing to me. This is
possibly dangerous; I have know of drug errors due to referring to patients
by thier beds. Maybe it is a policy designed to protect patient
confidentiality, but I cannot see that it works. I am wondering how to break
the ice with the staff that I really find it offensive, but I do ask for a
name everytime. I am sure nobody means offence, but they do it so casually.
That Staff Grade fella in A and E who writes for "Hospital Doctor"(sorry,
can't remember his name) wrote a good piece on this recently. If your
reading, I like your writing.
Out of curiosity, has anybody experienced an increased number of heroin ODs
recently? I came across on Godforsaken yound lad in the middle of a freezing
cold Manchester having ODd accidently. The police told me that it was the
third one they had had that day. I heard that a big pure batch had landed at
Portsmouth, some having been found by customs. The police were pretty good;
more interested in getting him in the ambulance than searching him,
Andrew Curphey
SHO, QMC, Nottingham
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