Community response and health services in times of trouble can help save lives.
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That’s what Albury paramedics James Kydd and Luke Allsop were called in to do on the last weekend in August to assist Steven Swann.
Mr Swann experienced an episode of fainting, followed by a seizure while with his wife, during a walk near Cedar Court in Thurgoona, and had no memory of the event.
He said he was grateful for the support delivered both on scene and while being transferred to Albury Base Hospital.
“The main message I want to convey is there were so many people that helped us,” he said.
“The community support was fantastic, swinging by a complete stranger is heart-warming stuff.”
Mr Swann said he now realised how critical paramedics were for the community, following a day of recognition for ambulance services.
“A lot of people might say they’re just doing their job, but do not understand how exceptional they are until you need their services,” he said, and expressed his gratitude upon the reunion.
A lot of people might say they’re just doing their job, but do not understand how exceptional they are until you need their services.
- Steven Swann
Mr Allsop, who has been a paramedic for seven years, said thank-you notices from patients were a dime a dozen.
“We’re always open to them because we deal with so much negativity, but that’s what we do,” he said.
“If we can help them get through, it is rewarding at the end of the day.”
Mr Allsop said paramedics were on call 24 hours a day to help those in need with or without a response afterwards.
“A lot of patients can be having a really bad day when we get to them,” he said.
“We don’t do it for the accolades, but it is a really nice feeling.”
Mr Allsop said keeping a professional attitude at all hours helped on the job.
“It’s a big thing for someone to call an ambulance, but for us it’s routine,” he said.
“We have to be on our a-game and have a positive outlook on everyone we treat.”
Mr Allsop added every patient is treated under a best case scenario, and the situation had been explained to Mr Swann.
“In Steven’s situation, it was best case, but we were concerned enough to take him to hospital,” he said.
Thank a Paramedic Day was observed in recognition of those who had received attention.
