Sorry I have not posted in the last few weeks. It has been a time of being busy getting ready for my ETA qualifier. ETA is the St John, Ambulance crew level. And I needed to catch up on my reading and CPD folder.
I did requal for another year. Then that night, I did something a bit mad. signed up to be assessed for suitability for a course that will give me another qualification. not linked to the ambulance level.
The selection assignment for this is tough, I do think it is the illegitimate child of Satan. Next week I will find out if I made it onto the course.
Right now on to the title of the post.
There are two of me, Dave and Andy ,and no, I have not developed Dissociative Identity Disorder.
No, it was a funny thing that happened at work last week.
I was quickly grabbing a coffee before heading over to our Baschurch campus, when a parent came up, mobile phone to ear and asked me "can you tell me where the second glass reception is" and before I had time to answer she continued "Speak to my daughter to find out where she is"
With the parents mobile to my ear, "Hello, I am Dave, do you know what campus you are on" the reply was no. then i asked a question I already knew the answer to, "can you ask someone" after a muffled few seconds the reply comes back "Baschurch campus"
That is 12 miles away from my base campus where I am standing. So after giving her mother direction to the campus and the right entrance. I when on my way to pick up some bit and headed to baschurch campus.
I arrive at the campus offloaded my bits for baschurch campus in reception, then see the parents car arrive from the wrong direction. As she got out of the car she said "this look like it's the right part" She carries on across the car park towards me coming out of the Harris centre, where reception is.
"I just seen your Twin, Dave at the other site" she says to me. Keeping a straight face and mischievous side waking up. she continued " Nice lad, very helpful, even if we forgot he told us to take the first entrance"
That was it, my mischievous side got the better of me. "Oh, yes he is. apparently we are both nice lads. anyway it Andy" As i said this I held out my hand for a handshake " I will let him know, you found his directions helpful"
To which she responses "Just don't tell him I took the second entrance first" I said i would not. we said goodbye and I headed off to get on with my next job with a cheeky smile on my face.
I told my line manager that someone thinks there are two of me, so can i have two pay packets. he just laughed.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
30 Nov 2013
26 Oct 2013
etiquette of (looks around) smoking
I know smoking is bad subject to talk about, as it is bad for us. However it is here, and until the government says "you must be born before this date to buy tobacco products" to end smoking with one generation, then it will carry on.
So why are you posting about smoking. I here you thinking. Students that smoke, or more to the point Students that don't smoke in the right place, the smoking shelter. and instead take shelter under a glass canopy right in front of the main doors to the college. Most argue that the smoking shelter is small for the amount of smokers the college has.
I agree, the shelter is too small for the amount of smokers trying to use it, however, standing so no one can get into the build without getting a face full of smoke is not on. Sometimes when it is raining I stand in the bike shed, and move if someone comes for their bike. I know it not the Designated Smoking Area. It is out of the way, not affecting non smokers and it dry.
Why do I do it, simply I have a basic etiquette for smoking
1) Try not to standing near a doorway while smoking, People will have to walk through your smoke to get into the building and it will be blown in after them
2) If in a group that contains non smokers, stand downwind.
3) Never blow smoke in anyone's face.
4) Generally be aware of where you smoke is going and be considerate of non smokers.
I do think that if all us smokers follow these basic steps, then non smokers wont complain so much about us.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
So why are you posting about smoking. I here you thinking. Students that smoke, or more to the point Students that don't smoke in the right place, the smoking shelter. and instead take shelter under a glass canopy right in front of the main doors to the college. Most argue that the smoking shelter is small for the amount of smokers the college has.
I agree, the shelter is too small for the amount of smokers trying to use it, however, standing so no one can get into the build without getting a face full of smoke is not on. Sometimes when it is raining I stand in the bike shed, and move if someone comes for their bike. I know it not the Designated Smoking Area. It is out of the way, not affecting non smokers and it dry.
Why do I do it, simply I have a basic etiquette for smoking
1) Try not to standing near a doorway while smoking, People will have to walk through your smoke to get into the building and it will be blown in after them
2) If in a group that contains non smokers, stand downwind.
3) Never blow smoke in anyone's face.
4) Generally be aware of where you smoke is going and be considerate of non smokers.
I do think that if all us smokers follow these basic steps, then non smokers wont complain so much about us.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
19 Oct 2013
why!
I have not posted for the last couple of week as I have been preoccupied, trying to get a doctor requested follow up appointment.
I hear you saying "why trying". well my GP surgery has had the wonderful idea of playing around with the appointment system.
First it was speak to triage nurse, then the receptionist could book me but not for the date I want as the system only does two weeks. Then it was back to having to speak to the triage nurse, who says "We are now doing appointment on the day, ring up at 8am the day you want an appointment and book it for that day"
Great way to make you feel like they want to help you. does it matter I fighting the black dog and running low on anti depressants.
Why Can't they just get a system stay with it, instead of changing it every week confusing people trying to get a appointment.
I don't know about anyone else, however my boss like a bit of notice that I am going to be going to a GP appointment. and I try to get them outside my working hours if possible.
I just wonder sometimes what priority mental health care has.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
I hear you saying "why trying". well my GP surgery has had the wonderful idea of playing around with the appointment system.
First it was speak to triage nurse, then the receptionist could book me but not for the date I want as the system only does two weeks. Then it was back to having to speak to the triage nurse, who says "We are now doing appointment on the day, ring up at 8am the day you want an appointment and book it for that day"
Great way to make you feel like they want to help you. does it matter I fighting the black dog and running low on anti depressants.
Why Can't they just get a system stay with it, instead of changing it every week confusing people trying to get a appointment.
I don't know about anyone else, however my boss like a bit of notice that I am going to be going to a GP appointment. and I try to get them outside my working hours if possible.
I just wonder sometimes what priority mental health care has.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
28 Sept 2013
BBC Local, Radio Shropshire
I was wondering what to write about in this post. Until I hear the Drive time show on Radio Shropshire today.
Anyone that knows me knows the love I have for my counties local BBC radio station.
Adam and Vicki, the shows presenters where saying how it was the shows 3rd birthday, and that back on Monday the 27th of September 2010 they where teamed up to do the show, after John Darvall left the station.
This made me think about the station, a station that first went live on 23 April 1985, St Georges Day. (I am too young to remember that day. cough) The Slogan for the starting year was "Live in 85", It started with just one transmitter based on the Wrekin television mast (near telford) linked to the main studio. Converted from an old supermarket at Boscobel Drive, Shrewsbury, the studio has given the station a great base right in the middle of the county.
Now, i can see you falling asleep at my geeky out burst, I shall skip all the technical stuff I have found online about the station.
Going back to Adam Green and Vicki Archer, and they comments on the shows birthday. The day of the first show, I turned my radio on with worry about the changes to the stations shows, as, well to be honest. the station had some cracking output, and i was worried the changes could be for the worst.
However, the stations editor had done something that is hard to do.Kept the tone and cracking output the same with new teams and gentle changes. Pairing up the morning presenter, Eric Smith with the mid afternoon presenter Clare Ashford for the morning show, even if Clare groans at Eric's bad jokes. Leaving Jim Hawkins to do this great morning show. Then extending Colin Young's lunchbox from 2 to 3 hours, more about that later. then getting a new team of Adam and Vicki to replace John Darval on the drivetime slot.
Now a bit about each show,
Clare Ashford and Eric Smith on the breakfast show. Both are far too quick witted for that time in the morning. Even If i think Eric has a key to my bad joke Emporium.
Jim Hawkins does a mainly talk based show with some great music sprinkled though it. Showing the human side of Shropshire, Giving a new angle on local stories and people. With the core idea of helping people out along the way.
I have spoke to him on a few occasions when he did his "On the bench" in Oswestry. On the bench is where he goes to a bench somewhere in the county and talks to whoever come and talks to him. It a great idea, and gives real insight into the lives of Salopians.
Colin Young's afternoon show. It has a fun personal feel, with some fun interaction bits. like on the road, you have to guess the place in Shropshire with cryptic clues. And hitting the headline, where you have to give a song to match the headline. Some times I try to get Col to read out the most weirdest answers to both of these, usually ending up with a comical comment from him.
Colin also loves doing things out and about the county. and has pre recorded bits where he finds out about things in the county or has a go and doing something. He has in the past tried doing an outside broadcast from the last Wrexham and Shropshire railways train, with some technical problems due to being on a moving train. Something he did not have trouble with when in March 2013 he broadcast his lunchtime programme from a narrowboat on the Llangollen canal in north Shropshire for a week.
Sometimes I do wonder if this escaping the studios has something to do with him being the Longest serving member of the station, being with the station from 1985.
Adam Green and Vicki Archer, with the drive time show. With more interaction with schools out, a guessing game where Vicki's children (only 2 of the 3, the baby cant talk yet) explain an object, it's harder than it sounds. Then there is place of the week, a place in Shropshire that they visit and learn about, taking us along for the ride.
There is another show that is not on daily, that I really enjoy. In fact I am listening to it as I writing this posting. That is Colin Young's Trunk Of Funk. A cracking little show that help lift my mood.
Colin has a knowledge of disco, soul, funk and all that type of music that is second to none. and always puts on a upbeat show, that and his band of Trunkateers meet up on facebook during the show for what can only be described as a mad 3 hours of interaction.
The fact that Delivering Quality First (DQF) threatened to end the show, the amount of support of the show, pushed it into a new 2200 - 0100 friday time slot, and opened up the simultaneous transmission from 3 station Radio Shropshire, Radio Stoke and Hereford and Worcester to include BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC WM. Making it a West Midland region Show. Something many listeners from the original 3 stations said should of be done years ago. and in my personal opinion is the only good thing to come out of the DQF shake up,
Saturday is not the same without Saturday night with Jim Hawkins.It is a shame that it went, as it was a really uplifting specialist show. another brilliant show that was made by Radio Shropshire.
The trunk of funk and the friendly day show, really help to lift my mood, and help me think happier thoughts.
So As you can see, BBC Radio Shropshire can keep lone workers like myself sane and informed about the county I live in, and it always help keeps me the right side of the black dog, by being good it job.
And most of all Being the voice of Shropshire.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Anyone that knows me knows the love I have for my counties local BBC radio station.
Adam and Vicki, the shows presenters where saying how it was the shows 3rd birthday, and that back on Monday the 27th of September 2010 they where teamed up to do the show, after John Darvall left the station.
This made me think about the station, a station that first went live on 23 April 1985, St Georges Day. (I am too young to remember that day. cough) The Slogan for the starting year was "Live in 85", It started with just one transmitter based on the Wrekin television mast (near telford) linked to the main studio. Converted from an old supermarket at Boscobel Drive, Shrewsbury, the studio has given the station a great base right in the middle of the county.
Now, i can see you falling asleep at my geeky out burst, I shall skip all the technical stuff I have found online about the station.
Going back to Adam Green and Vicki Archer, and they comments on the shows birthday. The day of the first show, I turned my radio on with worry about the changes to the stations shows, as, well to be honest. the station had some cracking output, and i was worried the changes could be for the worst.
However, the stations editor had done something that is hard to do.Kept the tone and cracking output the same with new teams and gentle changes. Pairing up the morning presenter, Eric Smith with the mid afternoon presenter Clare Ashford for the morning show, even if Clare groans at Eric's bad jokes. Leaving Jim Hawkins to do this great morning show. Then extending Colin Young's lunchbox from 2 to 3 hours, more about that later. then getting a new team of Adam and Vicki to replace John Darval on the drivetime slot.
Now a bit about each show,
Clare Ashford and Eric Smith on the breakfast show. Both are far too quick witted for that time in the morning. Even If i think Eric has a key to my bad joke Emporium.
Jim Hawkins does a mainly talk based show with some great music sprinkled though it. Showing the human side of Shropshire, Giving a new angle on local stories and people. With the core idea of helping people out along the way.
I have spoke to him on a few occasions when he did his "On the bench" in Oswestry. On the bench is where he goes to a bench somewhere in the county and talks to whoever come and talks to him. It a great idea, and gives real insight into the lives of Salopians.
Colin Young's afternoon show. It has a fun personal feel, with some fun interaction bits. like on the road, you have to guess the place in Shropshire with cryptic clues. And hitting the headline, where you have to give a song to match the headline. Some times I try to get Col to read out the most weirdest answers to both of these, usually ending up with a comical comment from him.
Colin also loves doing things out and about the county. and has pre recorded bits where he finds out about things in the county or has a go and doing something. He has in the past tried doing an outside broadcast from the last Wrexham and Shropshire railways train, with some technical problems due to being on a moving train. Something he did not have trouble with when in March 2013 he broadcast his lunchtime programme from a narrowboat on the Llangollen canal in north Shropshire for a week.
Sometimes I do wonder if this escaping the studios has something to do with him being the Longest serving member of the station, being with the station from 1985.
Adam Green and Vicki Archer, with the drive time show. With more interaction with schools out, a guessing game where Vicki's children (only 2 of the 3, the baby cant talk yet) explain an object, it's harder than it sounds. Then there is place of the week, a place in Shropshire that they visit and learn about, taking us along for the ride.
There is another show that is not on daily, that I really enjoy. In fact I am listening to it as I writing this posting. That is Colin Young's Trunk Of Funk. A cracking little show that help lift my mood.
Colin has a knowledge of disco, soul, funk and all that type of music that is second to none. and always puts on a upbeat show, that and his band of Trunkateers meet up on facebook during the show for what can only be described as a mad 3 hours of interaction.
The fact that Delivering Quality First (DQF) threatened to end the show, the amount of support of the show, pushed it into a new 2200 - 0100 friday time slot, and opened up the simultaneous transmission from 3 station Radio Shropshire, Radio Stoke and Hereford and Worcester to include BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC WM. Making it a West Midland region Show. Something many listeners from the original 3 stations said should of be done years ago. and in my personal opinion is the only good thing to come out of the DQF shake up,
Saturday is not the same without Saturday night with Jim Hawkins.It is a shame that it went, as it was a really uplifting specialist show. another brilliant show that was made by Radio Shropshire.
The trunk of funk and the friendly day show, really help to lift my mood, and help me think happier thoughts.
So As you can see, BBC Radio Shropshire can keep lone workers like myself sane and informed about the county I live in, and it always help keeps me the right side of the black dog, by being good it job.
And most of all Being the voice of Shropshire.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
20 Sept 2013
The keeper of the BLT.
In the last post I said about my life has been shaken and changed.
Well apparently I am a sandwich carer. The first time I hear this I thought, I don't look after packed lunches!!
After googling it, the mental images I had of looking after marmalade butties and making sure the lettuce did not escape from a BTL sub, soon disappeared. So what is a sandwich carer I don't here you cry.
Is someone who looks after an older relative and a younger relative. In my case it, my mum that tries to live as independently as she can. And my daughter that has learning difficulties.
My Mum has MS and bone that don't like keeping calcium. meaning her mobility is not what it once was, much to her dismay. She no longer drive, opting to surrender her driving licence a few weeks ago. not that she was a big driver in the last few years, Dad used to do most of the driving as the feeling in my mums feet started to fade.
My daughter has ADHD and Global Development Delay, in other word, they are still working out what other problems she has.
There is an odd side to caring for a mobility restricted highly experienced retired nursery teacher and caring teen with mental disabilities. When they are together, they start caring for each other, weird but true.
My mum has the skills from years of teaching and running a nursery to verbally direct her granddaughter and can under her instruction her granddaughter can do the physical stuff she can't.
Lets take the weekly shop as an example. The shopping trolleys are right behind the car, and my daughter knows to get one and take it to the car door, then helps mum out and to the trolley. when in the supermarket, she get what mum cant. It beautiful to see, how these two people that have trouble functioning by themselves working together to over come there own problems without even thinking about it.
And with that i will leave you with an escapee from Dave's bad joke Emporium,
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Little old lady."
"Little old lady who?"
"I didn't know you could yodel!"
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Well apparently I am a sandwich carer. The first time I hear this I thought, I don't look after packed lunches!!
After googling it, the mental images I had of looking after marmalade butties and making sure the lettuce did not escape from a BTL sub, soon disappeared. So what is a sandwich carer I don't here you cry.
Is someone who looks after an older relative and a younger relative. In my case it, my mum that tries to live as independently as she can. And my daughter that has learning difficulties.
My Mum has MS and bone that don't like keeping calcium. meaning her mobility is not what it once was, much to her dismay. She no longer drive, opting to surrender her driving licence a few weeks ago. not that she was a big driver in the last few years, Dad used to do most of the driving as the feeling in my mums feet started to fade.
My daughter has ADHD and Global Development Delay, in other word, they are still working out what other problems she has.
There is an odd side to caring for a mobility restricted highly experienced retired nursery teacher and caring teen with mental disabilities. When they are together, they start caring for each other, weird but true.
My mum has the skills from years of teaching and running a nursery to verbally direct her granddaughter and can under her instruction her granddaughter can do the physical stuff she can't.
Lets take the weekly shop as an example. The shopping trolleys are right behind the car, and my daughter knows to get one and take it to the car door, then helps mum out and to the trolley. when in the supermarket, she get what mum cant. It beautiful to see, how these two people that have trouble functioning by themselves working together to over come there own problems without even thinking about it.
And with that i will leave you with an escapee from Dave's bad joke Emporium,
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Little old lady."
"Little old lady who?"
"I didn't know you could yodel!"
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
6 Sept 2013
Dear blog, sorry for being a way so long
yet another sorry for not posting, post.
It has been a few days off a year since my last post. Why well I have had a hell of a time. and not been up for posting.
My world has been shaken and changed. It started with one phone call and all weirdness broke out. Now I don't know how much i want to post about it. I may do a full posting of that night, in my usual style of my other now resting blog some time in the future. However, at the moment. I think it would be too painful for some people that come across my blog to read and for me to write.
My dad died in November last year. Mum called saying she could not wake him, when i got there, there was signs to do CPR. As the first person there able to do it. I did.
And at the moment that as much i can write about it.
since then I have fallen off social media a bit. I think it may be time to try and get back on to social media, as I only use it on a friday when the trunk of funk is on. The only time of the week where the black dog has a nap for 3 hours and i can lose myself in the world of funk.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
It has been a few days off a year since my last post. Why well I have had a hell of a time. and not been up for posting.
My world has been shaken and changed. It started with one phone call and all weirdness broke out. Now I don't know how much i want to post about it. I may do a full posting of that night, in my usual style of my other now resting blog some time in the future. However, at the moment. I think it would be too painful for some people that come across my blog to read and for me to write.
My dad died in November last year. Mum called saying she could not wake him, when i got there, there was signs to do CPR. As the first person there able to do it. I did.
And at the moment that as much i can write about it.
since then I have fallen off social media a bit. I think it may be time to try and get back on to social media, as I only use it on a friday when the trunk of funk is on. The only time of the week where the black dog has a nap for 3 hours and i can lose myself in the world of funk.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
9 Sept 2012
Local hospitals Complaints rise
I am writing about my local hospital trust, why i hear you ask. well I think they do not learn from the past.
Back in December 2008 a man in Telford suffered a stroke. He should of had a follow-up appointment, but it was never made. On 19 March 2009 he experienced blurring of his vision and became confused and was taken to hospital, where it was discovered he had suffered a second stroke.
This second stroke left the man a self-employed courier, partially sighted and unable to work.All down to what the trust called "simple administration error" that meant the initial appointment where a vital blood-thinning medication would of been prescribed did not happen.
After a undisclosed six-figure settlement with man, the trust said it had "reviewed all aspects of the care he received to ensure that lessons are learned".
I had a 'simple administration error' with a initial follow-up appointment. after hospitalization in November 2008 Where I had to chase it up, TWICE once in September 2009 and then again on the 28th October 2009. I ended up with an appointment on the 22 December 2009. Thats 13 months and 11 days after I was told I would have an appointment in 6 weeks. I did get an apology on air from Adam Cairns the boss of the trust at the time. when he was on Radio Shropshire.
Now I hear about a man that is having worrying symptoms, that point to a heart problem. He has had multipliable cancelled appointment to have tests to see if he has a heart condition. He has still not had these tests a year after his first cancelled appointment. Steve Peak acting boss of the trust, when on Radio Shropshire apologized on air to him. commenting that it was errors and problems with the appointment system.
The Big question is after 4 years why are these problems with appointments still carry on. causing distress or even causing danger to patients health?
So back to title of this posting. Rising complaints to the Trust.
In a new report about the number of complaint it says, A total of 734 written complaints were made to the trust in 2011/12 – a rise of 4.6 per cent on 702 in the previous 12 months. The national average is one per cent.
and the trusts reply “Putting patients first is at the heart of everything we do and a key part of this is listening to any compliments, comments and concerns. They help us learn from the experiences of patients and their relatives, and improve the care we provide.”
Ok, So that why 4 years on the appointment system is still having problems! and failing in improving the care the trust provides.
So they are 3.6 per cent higher in complaints then the national average. and from what I have said above, I wonder why it is not more.
Dear Trust Sort it out will you, it people lives you are playing with, its not like it a appointment to fix a broken washing machine. You get a appointment quicker with them.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Information Sources
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-15433844
http://leukemicstepchild.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/should-of-really-chased-that-up.html
http://leukemicstepchild.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/3-days-off.html
http://leukemicstepchild.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/kidney-appointment.html
Radio Shropshire Breakfast show 6 September 2012
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/health/2012/08/30/complaints-at-shropshire-hospitals-rise/
Back in December 2008 a man in Telford suffered a stroke. He should of had a follow-up appointment, but it was never made. On 19 March 2009 he experienced blurring of his vision and became confused and was taken to hospital, where it was discovered he had suffered a second stroke.
This second stroke left the man a self-employed courier, partially sighted and unable to work.All down to what the trust called "simple administration error" that meant the initial appointment where a vital blood-thinning medication would of been prescribed did not happen.
After a undisclosed six-figure settlement with man, the trust said it had "reviewed all aspects of the care he received to ensure that lessons are learned".
I had a 'simple administration error' with a initial follow-up appointment. after hospitalization in November 2008 Where I had to chase it up, TWICE once in September 2009 and then again on the 28th October 2009. I ended up with an appointment on the 22 December 2009. Thats 13 months and 11 days after I was told I would have an appointment in 6 weeks. I did get an apology on air from Adam Cairns the boss of the trust at the time. when he was on Radio Shropshire.
Now I hear about a man that is having worrying symptoms, that point to a heart problem. He has had multipliable cancelled appointment to have tests to see if he has a heart condition. He has still not had these tests a year after his first cancelled appointment. Steve Peak acting boss of the trust, when on Radio Shropshire apologized on air to him. commenting that it was errors and problems with the appointment system.
The Big question is after 4 years why are these problems with appointments still carry on. causing distress or even causing danger to patients health?
So back to title of this posting. Rising complaints to the Trust.
In a new report about the number of complaint it says, A total of 734 written complaints were made to the trust in 2011/12 – a rise of 4.6 per cent on 702 in the previous 12 months. The national average is one per cent.
and the trusts reply “Putting patients first is at the heart of everything we do and a key part of this is listening to any compliments, comments and concerns. They help us learn from the experiences of patients and their relatives, and improve the care we provide.”
Ok, So that why 4 years on the appointment system is still having problems! and failing in improving the care the trust provides.
So they are 3.6 per cent higher in complaints then the national average. and from what I have said above, I wonder why it is not more.
Dear Trust Sort it out will you, it people lives you are playing with, its not like it a appointment to fix a broken washing machine. You get a appointment quicker with them.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Information Sources
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-15433844
http://leukemicstepchild.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/should-of-really-chased-that-up.html
http://leukemicstepchild.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/3-days-off.html
http://leukemicstepchild.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/kidney-appointment.html
Radio Shropshire Breakfast show 6 September 2012
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/health/2012/08/30/complaints-at-shropshire-hospitals-rise/
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