I'm thinking about taking a work assignment in England late this year or next year. How does emergency medicine differ between the two countries? Is it worthwhile to skip over the pond to work there?
2006-06-14 20:05:00 · 5 answers · asked by imrational 5 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
If the TV shows we import from you are accurate, I'd say that our 'Accident and Emergency' departments (that's what we call them here) are less well equipped. That's because they are ALL funded by central government (no assistance from insurance companies).
Having said that, they are certainly NOT under-equipped, they have everything necessary, just not flashy.
A big advantage about working here would be that you'll only see a gunshot wound about once in ten years! Also, a lot of patients are genuinely grateful for your efforts.
You'll get the usual drunken idiots on Friday and Saturday nights, but we have a zero tolerance policy and security and the police are efficient in dealing with any abuse.
Waiting times can be a bit extended if the triage nurse deems that the patient is non-critical; this is due mainly to under-staffing; you'd be very welcome.
2006-06-14 20:18:35 · answer #1 · answered by emaredwards 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For a start, we call them A&E - Accident and Emergency!
UK hospitals tend to have less staff than in the USA (unless you are going to a Private hospital) and although I am eternally grateful for the NHS (National Health Service, for non UK people) and think it is very important that we keep it, it's seriously underfunded and you probably wouldn't have the resources you were used to unless you work in a county hospital in the USA, and then you'd be more prepared.
2006-06-15 03:20:36 · answer #2 · answered by squimberley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want a drop in salary then go ahead.
For quite a realistic view get hold of "Casualty" if you can. It's a drama series set in an A&E Dept.It's modelled on the actual A&E Dept at Bristol and is surprisingly similar to the real thing - I know I've worked in Bristol A&E before.
2006-06-15 03:08:53 · answer #3 · answered by Johnny Baggs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out this blog. It is written by a UK paramedic, but it should give some idea and it's very entertaining. (Not today's entry, particuarly.)
http://randomreality.blogware.com/
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2006-06-15 03:19:16 · answer #4 · answered by Singlemomof10 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
crap you will be overworked and underpaid but you wont be turning poor people away, a and e waiting rooms are jam packed you wait for hours, the staff do a good job but id only go if i was dying
2006-06-19 10:27:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋