Monday, November 9th, Fifth Week of Locum Tenens
Don’t forget about me folks! I’ve had a bit of a break from my hikes for many good reasons. It rained ALL weekend and was quite chilly. Coincidentally, I was glued to the news. SO my next travel will be to here ASAP~
In addition, on this Friday, November 13th, is Canterbury Show weekend. This is a celebration of the first ships arriving to the region in 1850. It has become the largest agricultural and pastoral show in New Zealand, taken place since 1859. However, during Covid times, I don’t think much, if anything, is happening. But I still have Friday off! Soooo, I’ll be off the Hanmer Springs, a city of hot springs northwest of Christchurch. Yes, I have a massage also scheduled at Hanmer Springs Spa! And I plan to soak in the Hot Springs. And take a hike. And probably go to a winery. IN my new RED car!- a Kia 4 door sporty thing- I convinced my boss that pouring water in the coolant container under the “bonnet” of the cute blue Audi all alone in the wilderness was not working for me anymore. I later had dinner with his family and we had a rousing time!
Some words on practicing medicine here: medication refills are called “repeats”. So a patient will come in and say “I’m here for repeats”. Took me a bit to get it, but I’m totally into it. And also, I find myself saying after they state their malady, “Well, let’s have a look at you then!” with a bit of an accent, and “Ring me up if you’re not feeling better!” I crack myself up. If “repeats” are all they want, it’s a quick “ALL OK?” and they are out of there, unless a blood pressure is warranted, or a blood test. Once again, the eczema and contact dermatitis and Crohn’s and celiac disease is rampant here, it seems to me. Evidently, this all is mostly in the Canterbury Region which I am in. Humans are generally otherwise still all built the same. And again, there is a good amount of weight put on patient responsibility. So much like the old days- no patient babysitting! The nurses do send out reminders for “jabs” (immunizations), etc. Today there was a national Nurse’s Strike- so they just didn’t come. Tomorrow they will be back, thank goodness. It’s a busy place. If I place a computerized referral to a specialist in Christchurch, some magic person sends a message back and says “naaahhhhhh, give us more reasons…..”, so I’m doing better with that. But when I “ring” the consultants at the Christchurch hospital, they are lovely. Also, did I tell you that New Zealand has what is called an “ACC” system. Every accident, regardless of cause, is covered by the government. A car accident, an ankle fracture, a laceration, or - and this is the best part- a “Medical Mishap”. Hence, there is no need for medical malpractice. Whoaaaaa…..office visits range $18–$49 (I think). Unless it’s ACC. Then it’s free. Everyone has “GMS” (general medical services), and some have additional “Private” insurance so they can get into specialists faster. I imagine Canada is very similar. Still figuring it out on a 15 minute schedule.
I am so sad about Covid increasing exponentially. My heart is breaking for the continued spread in the U.S. and for my buddies working in ICU’s that are so overwhelmed now, and for all who have already tried so hard to stay well. Please take care of each other in order to make sure that those who can’t have a hospital bed. Minneapolis is stretched tight.This sucks. A patient said to me today “Why can’t other countries get a grip on this?” Ugh. So let’s continue to hope for decreasing the death count. All we can do is to watch ourselves. Ninety percent of the world is still susceptible!Unbelievable. It definitely is NOT “every person for themselves”, but “every person for everyone else”. You can quote me on that cuz I just made it up.
Enough rambling in lack of amazing photos. Rest assured I have many cool photos coming your way. The weekend here looks lovely!
Oh, and Many Thanks to my brother who figured out he could clap 13 times for me! Silly Rick. Also, I figured out how to still send Snickers bars to my mom. And Happy First Anniversary Annie and Eric!
Oh…and….
Kia Ora~
Lynn
