Paramedic. I guarantee that no matter how many fly-on-the-wall documentaries or episodes of Casualty you've watched, you will never understand what it's like if you don't work on an ambulance.

The funny thing is, that many people have a sort of "Wow, you're a paramedic" attitude, which they never seem to have for nurses, or even doctors (it's probably that doctors get quiet admiration) but at the end of the day, I see myself as an ordinary bloke doing a sometimes extraordinary job- which some people admittedly could not do- but I don't go around like I've got a big S under my shirt.

Am I happy in my work? well I like the work, but I hate the politics and crap that govern us these days and can at least look forward to the possibility that the next government will finally get rid of pointless target times and address the grass-roots issues that plague the health service.

Having been on the receiving end of work performed by a couple of your colleagues, I can honestly say that this attitude is somewhat deserved. Yes I got great care by the nurses, doctors and all other NHS staff but as the Consultant said 'the paramedics saved your life, made you stable, minimised any potential further damage and delivered you here so we could do our job'. 'Anything less than a professional approach and treatment by them and you would have been in a wheelchair for the rest of your life'.

The treatment I got in Glasgow from the medical staff earned my admiration but the ones I remember with most fondness are the auxilliaries who fed me, washed and shaved me, helped get me out of bed (with the use of a hoist) and generally looked after my welfare. It's a very humbling experience to have to depend on others totally.

Al

If it wasn't for paramedics I'd be in a wheelchair from a spinal cord injury......

... and I'd be dead because of my appendix and bowel.

What do I do for work? Pay the tax man, it seems. I must write a cheque out today. Payments “on account”. Grr.....