Paramedics have recently been recognised when the College of Paramedics was awarded its Royal Charter of Incorporation, and should be proud. There are also a great many other individuals that work for ambulance services up and down the UK. There are call handlers and dispatchers (both jobs I could never do), and the great, Vehicle Preparation Operatives, who make sure that everything is at your fingertips when you're out on the road. These individuals (and of course many others I do not have the word count to mention) work together to provide a world-class service to patients at often the worst times in their lives.
For a number of years, even prior to embarking upon the road to becoming a paramedic, I have worked with patient transport services (PTS). Initially, I was recruited and upskilled from being a first responder to assist with high dependency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since my high-dependency role ended, I have been working in PTS. In my opinion, those that work within this service are an under-appreciated group of individuals. Training of the modern paramedic requires attendance at university and the completion of degree-level education. As a result, it is easy to forget that many ‘older’ paramedics started their journey working within PTS and the skills they developed in that role provided the grounding for their advancement into the world of frontline paramedicine. In my view, those working in PTS are the leaders in communication and developing a patient relationship. They see the same patients frequently, assisting them to attend various appointments from renal dialysis to routine check-ups. They also work across a vast array of hospitals and departments. As a result of this regular interaction, relationships and communication skills develop to a level that is far beyond others. It is also worth mentioning that they are the experts in manoeuvring and handling!
Working in this role has allowed me to develop my communication skills considerably and I cannot understate my gratitude to PTS for that opportunity. While working in various roles, I have seen both shocking and amazing examples of communication in healthcare, both with patients and their relatives at some incredibly stressful times.
The ability to communicate clearly and compassionately with patients is of the greatest importance. It is equally important to engage clearly and concisely with other health professionals. Otherwise, patients can feel ignored and important aspects of care can be missed. Communication is the cornerstone of how we interact and should be seen as the foundation of providing good healthcare to patients.
Whether on placement or working on PTS, I am part of a large team, within which communication is used to serve and assist hundreds of thousands of patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Without teamwork and good communication, the system would collapse within hours. To those pondering a career in healthcare or embarking on paramedic training, think about how you may develop these skills. They are invaluable tools throughout your career – from talking to older people about life in the 1960s as you wait outside hospital, to handing over a trauma patient to a consultant in resus!