From Paramedic to Physiotherapist - And Undisturbed Sleep!
I totally understand why the arrival of a mountain rescue team is so important when someone is in distress – they can reach the parts an ambulance cannot get to! As a working paramedic with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, I haven't come across EMRT as they are based in Derbyshire. However, speaking of MRT's in general, I'm always glad when they bring the casualty to our ambulance as we are not equipped for walking and carrying patients and equipment a long way from the road. They are experts at locating casualties and stretchering them to an ambulance. We quickly get directed to the nearest spot to park and wait to intercept the casualty. It's all about teamwork!
Being a paramedic is certainly different to being a physiotherapist. I get to wait in a comfortable building for my patients to come to me, whereas in the ambulance service I drive a vehicle with blue lights and a siren through traffic which (sometimes, anyway) parts like the waves in the Red Sea!
I often wonder what hazards there will be on scene when I arrive in my ambulance. Will the person (or cow, dog or other animal) who attacked the patient still be there? Will the patient be lying in the dark in torrential rain? In my role as a physiotherapist, thankfully there have been none of those considerations to worry about so far!
Also, I have not had to do any night shifts as a physiotherapist which is a distinct bonus! If someone decides to mow their lawn or use a chainsaw in the middle of the day near my house, I'm not going to get disturbed sleep! One of the best things in physiotherapy is that I usually find out how my treatment has affected the patient. This allows me to improve what I do and also tailor the treatment for their specific issues.
Often as a paramedic I do not even get to find out whether the patient lived or died which is a missed opportunity in terms of how I learn and progress. That question often remains in my mind. The responsibility is different too. As a paramedic, although I deal with life and death situations quite a bit, I tend to drop the patient off at hospital, hopefully in a more stable condition than when I initially got to them. The hospital can then continue the care for them, whereas a physiotherapy patient has their session and then goes home . However, I often see my physio patient again for further sessions and it is very rewarding to see their progress.
NB Nikki is an Activ physiotherapist based in our Hope clinic and is currently a part-time bank paramedic with Yorkshire Ambulance Service (having previously been full-time). She also worked as a full-time paramedic for the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
If you would like to book in with one of our friendly, experienced physiotherapists, please call our team on:
Totley: 0114 235 2727
Hope: 01433 623 602
For more information on our treatments and pricings, see our Pricings page or head over to our NEW Bookings page.
The Activ Team have chosen Edale Mountain Rescue for this year’s charity fundraiser, and will be organising a team clinic-to-clinic walk from Totley to Hope in October.
If you would like to donate - click the link below!
LINK: Georgina Hollinrake is fundraising for Edale Mountain Rescue Team
