There by the grace of God goes every single one of us.. Save us from broken systems and promises..
A
Annelies van Wamel
· petition starter
11 years ago
Just woke up to 150 signatures and 50 odd shares. I don't personally know Mr Daly but when I wrote this petition I thought of how close to that edge many, and certainly myself, are. How would you feel when (not if) it happens to you? Maybe that's why it strangely touches me to see the response and the comments....
B
Ben Watts
11 years ago
This is an interesting case, with lots to be discussed, I have sent you a message regarding some reading I have done on the case... It may be in your other folder.
M
Matt Waller
11 years ago
I think all those who work in our industry can empathise with Mr. Daly. Far too often we are asked to go beyond the realms of what would be deemed safe in any other industry under the principle of 'protecting life' and attending to an 'emergency.' And its testimony to the dedication, skill and good will of all of those who do our job that up until now there have been very few serious incidents involving serious injury or loss of life as a result of being overworked without adequate rest or refreshment.
But I think it's time that as a profession we stand up against the poor working practices that exist as well as those that have been more recently adopted as a result of the ever increasing burden being placed on ambulance services across the country. The working conditions that most of us experience day-to-day are not acceptable, neither on the grounds of health and safety or from an ethical perspective.
If we take his situation, we've all been there. 11 hours in to a 12 hour night shift, with little to no opportunity for rest, being asked to attend 'just 1 more' emergency. And you just know its going to take you 2-3 hours over your finish time. You wouldn't mind if it was only once in a blue moon that you were asked, but its happened the last three nights running, meaning that you have worked well over the scheduled hours for the week.
You look at your partner, who like you has bags under their eyes, and you notice you're both blinking incessantly to fight the overwhelming urge to close your eyes and get some well needed rest. You can barely think straight because it's your 4th night shift in a row and through the cumulative effect of fatigue and lack of sleep you are both physically and mentally exhausted.
Realistically neither of you are fit to drive, never mind drive on blue lights, and you're certainly in no fit state to even start thinking about dealing with an acutely ill patient who is going to demand 100% of your concentration and skill. And yet
E
Emma Gray
11 years ago
Why is this petition closed?
C
CJ Rowan
11 years ago
Well said Annelies, I believe lots of paramedics are probably at this stage, I know I have been close to it at times and my colleagues who work on the Ambulances are worse off than me.
There by the grace of God goes every single one of us.. Save us from broken systems and promises..
Just woke up to 150 signatures and 50 odd shares. I don't personally know Mr Daly but when I wrote this petition I thought of how close to that edge many, and certainly myself, are. How would you feel when (not if) it happens to you? Maybe that's why it strangely touches me to see the response and the comments....
This is an interesting case, with lots to be discussed, I have sent you a message regarding some reading I have done on the case... It may be in your other folder.
I think all those who work in our industry can empathise with Mr. Daly. Far too often we are asked to go beyond the realms of what would be deemed safe in any other industry under the principle of 'protecting life' and attending to an 'emergency.' And its testimony to the dedication, skill and good will of all of those who do our job that up until now there have been very few serious incidents involving serious injury or loss of life as a result of being overworked without adequate rest or refreshment. But I think it's time that as a profession we stand up against the poor working practices that exist as well as those that have been more recently adopted as a result of the ever increasing burden being placed on ambulance services across the country. The working conditions that most of us experience day-to-day are not acceptable, neither on the grounds of health and safety or from an ethical perspective. If we take his situation, we've all been there. 11 hours in to a 12 hour night shift, with little to no opportunity for rest, being asked to attend 'just 1 more' emergency. And you just know its going to take you 2-3 hours over your finish time. You wouldn't mind if it was only once in a blue moon that you were asked, but its happened the last three nights running, meaning that you have worked well over the scheduled hours for the week. You look at your partner, who like you has bags under their eyes, and you notice you're both blinking incessantly to fight the overwhelming urge to close your eyes and get some well needed rest. You can barely think straight because it's your 4th night shift in a row and through the cumulative effect of fatigue and lack of sleep you are both physically and mentally exhausted. Realistically neither of you are fit to drive, never mind drive on blue lights, and you're certainly in no fit state to even start thinking about dealing with an acutely ill patient who is going to demand 100% of your concentration and skill. And yet
Why is this petition closed?
Well said Annelies, I believe lots of paramedics are probably at this stage, I know I have been close to it at times and my colleagues who work on the Ambulances are worse off than me.