Count your blessings
Last night, whilst leaving work, I wandered out via the main entrance, which is not for from A&E (US:ER), and watched as an ambulance pulled up, blue lights flashing and screaming.
A shower of doctors and nurses, including the Paediatric Cardio Consultant, (whom I recognised from Respiratory, where my old Consultant would do referrals to him) ran out to greet a stretcher, where a child was being cardiac massaged, and intubated, paramedics on both sides. I couldn't see the child clearly for all the people, but the one glance I had saw a small, immobile body, perhaps 3 years old. Mum was sobbing hysterically, in the arms of Dad, white faced, tight lipped and grim looking. 2 nurses went straight to them and took them under their wings, so to speak, whilst the child was swept into the hospital.
This all took about 3 seconds.
Whatever else you have to put up with at this thoughtful time of year, be grateful you aren't a member of that family.
A shower of doctors and nurses, including the Paediatric Cardio Consultant, (whom I recognised from Respiratory, where my old Consultant would do referrals to him) ran out to greet a stretcher, where a child was being cardiac massaged, and intubated, paramedics on both sides. I couldn't see the child clearly for all the people, but the one glance I had saw a small, immobile body, perhaps 3 years old. Mum was sobbing hysterically, in the arms of Dad, white faced, tight lipped and grim looking. 2 nurses went straight to them and took them under their wings, so to speak, whilst the child was swept into the hospital.
This all took about 3 seconds.
Whatever else you have to put up with at this thoughtful time of year, be grateful you aren't a member of that family.