Red Cross

A long day today (now yesterday) and most of it spent lookng at ambulances!

Helping out with support for the ambulance drivers and paramedics.  A lot of the time just providing them (and their patients) with tea, coffee, water etc.

The service is under severe pressure just now most of it directly or indirectly due to Covid.

Ambulances containing patients typically parked up outside the emergency room for around 4 hours waiting to be seen.   Resulting in the paramedic being delayed in getting out on another call.

An example of one of the reasons, and this kept being raised, was that doctors at local general practices haven't been seeing patients face to face since the start of first lockdown.  They are slowly returning, but many still not returning even close to what it was like pre pandemic.  So a lot of people are frustrated and just lift the phone instead and dial the emergency 999 number. That more or less guarantees they will be picked up by ambulance and brought to Accident & Emergency at the hospital - where they will join the queue!

As I say thats just one example - so many things contributing to it which I can't cover here.  Best advice - don't get sick!.