I’m a student paramedic AMA

[Withthemonsters]

Hi, long time lurker here, but thought it might be useful to join and post this, especially with the current situation we’re in at the moment.

I’m a student paramedic [identifying info removed by MNHQ] ask me anything 😊

How dangerous is coronavirus really for pregnant women? Are pregnant women seeing more complications?

And have people finally stopped calling ambulances for stubbed toes?

No questions from me, just a big hug and thanks for working so hard xx

@YukoandHiro, I’m by no means an expert on this, particularly as students are not allowed in to coronavirus cases (to do with uni insurance and lack of PPE on trucks), but from what I’ve read, it seems that pregnant women are at no more risk than the average person and are no more likely to be seriously ill. There has been in in Wuhan apparently where transmission in pregnancy may have occurred, but no others reported and all newborns with the disease have been well.

Still getting calls for stubbed toes and the like, but that’s nothing new 😅

What percentage of your call outs are for mental health problems?

Do you ever just drop someone home instead of taking them to hospital if you think they don't need to go into be assessed?

Oh and also Thankyou! I think you're doing an amazing job

@rosieposies Thank you! I’m very new to the ambulance service, but I’d say roughly about 25% of calls I have been to have had some mental health involvement whether it be the main problem they have or making existing conditions worse (say worsening of COPD brought on by anxiety), It really surprised me to be honest how many people we go to, especially with anxiety problems.

We don’t tend to drop patients home if there’s another option (taxi or a relative/friend coming to pick them up) but I have seen it done if the patient lives close by. We do leave a lot of patients at home though, probably at least 50%

@YukoandHiro sorry for the typos, just read that back it should say "there has been a case in Wuhan".

Hey @Withthemonsters a relative of mine is training to be a paramedic too BUT they take drugs that aren't prescribed to them (temazipan, gabapentin and some others that I'm unsure of) would I be better off reporting them somewhere (I don't know where) or waiting for them to get caught as I'm assuming drug testing takes place.

Hi @Morgzmum If you’re concerned I would speak to your friend first to find out exactly what their taking and how often, but you could raise concerns with their ambulance trust (if they are training with a trust- such as LAS), university (if they are doing a degree course) or the HCPC, the registering body for paramedics. I haven’t come across this before myself, so I’m not sure of the best action to be honest, but I know that routine drug testing does not take place, so if you have genuine concerns that this is affecting his ability to practice, I would speak to one the organisations I mentioned.