Elena Lewis – Monday 23rd December 2024 – 11.05.
When Uttoxeter based Community First Responder (CFR) Mary Dorrington attended a poorly patient at a nursery recently, she was greeted by a scared little one, who was very reluctant to let her, or the attending crew, touch him.
A familiar story that many of our crews and CFRs will have dealt with and something that undoubtedly causes great stress not only for our little patients, but for their families too. Realising that this must be a challenge faced all too often, Mary decided to do something about this, and what better way than getting little ones familiar with the equipment our staff use than letting them play with their own little toy equipment sets?
For each first school and nursery in Uttoxeter, Mary has gifted them with a play medical desk containing a kiddie torch, a stethoscope, spO2 finger reader, a thermometer, x-ray cards and a vital signs sheet.
Mary said: “The schools have been loving them. I’ve gone into the classrooms to show the children how it all works and what everything does.
“It’s been a great way to teach them that none of the equipment will hurt them, and neither will we! Unfortunately for the teachers, the set even plays Baby Shark… I still think the good outweighs the bad of that song though!”
Community First Responders are a vital part of our service. They volunteer their time to attend our most poorly patients alongside WMAS staff, to provide support to their communities. Often attending patients before our crews to provide time critical support.
Interested in joining us as a CFR? Keep your eyes peeled on our social media (@officialwmas) for updates in the New Year. Ends