It was on dusk and all but one other person had left the work site. He called me to let me know about the injury and advise me that he couldn't drive but he had someone to drive him to the emergency department at the hospital. I was to meet him there.

We had made a conscious decision not to call an ambulance. My husband was in pain but it was not a life-threatening situation. We were capable of ensuring safe transport to the hospital without taking up valuable emergency resources that could be essential to someone else in a more dire situation.

At the time of making that decision we really didn't think too much about the consequences of tying up the region's emergency services unnecassarily. We just simply noted it was a Friday evening and they were bound to be busy.

My husband was triaged promptly at the hospital, but it was several more hours before he was seen by a doctor. We worried for a short while that we were taking up the valuable time of the medical staff, but were advised that my husband's injury needed attention before we could go home.

During that time it became clear that the region's ambulances and paramedics were on constant rotation delivering seriously ill patients to the hospital, before heading out to tend to another call.

A very attentive emergency department staff member came out to speak to patients in the waiting room on several occasions to apologise for delays and advise of the potential waiting time. They pointed out that it was a very busy night with several emergencies, but then added it was 'becoming the norm.'

On reflection of this experience, I can't help but wonder what will be the new norm for these frontline workers once we come out of our COVID hibernation on October 11.

I ponder, with great concern, about the added pressure on the emergency staff and, in particular, the paramedics who will be tasked with not only their usual life-saving duties, but the added expectation of potentially searching for hospitals equipped and able to take COVID-affected patients?

Now, more than ever, we need to be mindful of those calls we make for emergency support.

Clearly there will be situations when that Triple-0 emergency call will be essential. The emergency response of paramedics could mean the difference between life and death.

But not every accident, injury or ailment warrants a call-out for an ambulance. Think carefully before calling our paramedics away from more urgent work - this limited resource needs to be used wisely for the wellbeing of everyone.

While it is totally unrelated, was keen to also share the wonderful picture above in this newsletter. Storm season kicked of today (October 1). It would seem that the season heralded its arrival recently in this fabulous photo taken at Guerilla Bay by Mitch Lightfoot.

Stay safe,

Jackie Meyers

Editor