Food for Friends

In my first month in the UK I spent a lot of time dining alone. One particularly lonely April day in Brighton, I found myself tempted by the dessert section of a nice-looking café menu in the street. Excited by the prospect of a hearty meal followed by a decadent dessert, I accepted a seat in the apex of the restaurant for optimal people watching.

Department Store Cafes

Every major department store I’ve been to has a café, serving a full range of meals and snacks while the store is open. And from my research, they’re all pretty decent. Some even serve the food they sell in their food halls. So there’s absolutely no reason to have to stop shopping just because you’re hungry or tired. A quick trip to the café will get you back on your feet.

I’m convincing myself that a mandatory café visit will help me make wiser shopping decisions, but really, all it’s done is made me be impulsive in the café as well as the shopping aisles, and filled out my jeans. Which just makes me need to do more shopping... :)

Pippa

anHaThenTh I’m all for hand hygiene. Hand washing, gloves, gels and foams... they’re all second nature at work. I love making sure I’m vigilant in this area. But then I met Pippa.

Keyboards

One of the most regularly used keys is in the wrong place on UK keyboards. Can you see it?

 

Big Yellow Ball

Something really weird happened in England today.

Inappropriate referrals

So at most work places there are inappropriate referrals. I asked about this at my new work, and was told we generally see everyone that gets referred, even if it's only once, to acknowledge the referral. Again, as a result, I see about 30% fewer appropriate patients, as I deal with those who are intubated, have a GCS of 9, or who haven't eaten since the late 80's due to their complete aphagia.

I've developed a checklist for nurses and am hoping to approach my manager with it. Wanted to share it before I did.

Washing machines

In the UK, the washing machine goes in the kitchen. Who needs a laundry anyway?
Unfortunately there has been a direct flow-on effect into my washing up technique. I now do my dishes in 2 loads - white crockery first, then coloureds separately. No-one wants pink plates.

Lamenting abbreviations

One of the joys of medical documentation is being able to abbreviate nearly every word you write. It's a skill developed early and then completely forgotten as it becomes so automatic.

On my first day at my new work, I was told that in our own speechie department notes, we are not allowed to use any abbreviations. None.

How to get help with your luggage

Working 5 hours away from home means having to lug a lot of luggage on and off the public transport system twice a week (hm, maybe that's why they call it luggage...). At times, I have my huge suitcase, another wheelie suitcase, a backpack, snacks, and my handbag. Not an easy job getting all that up 2 flights of stairs at Victoria station.
Here are my slightly devious suggestions for gettting help from stronger members of the community. Just remember to look ever-so-surprised when they work!

My first day at work

Day one.
As an aside, my first day of work was May 18th, exactly one month after I flew out. (Also, 1 and 8 are some of my favourite numbers. OCD much?)

I couldn't focus on anything my new manager was telling me, after I noticed these filing cabinet labels in my office.
Welcome to your new hospital!

How to make friends 101

Coming to a new town purely to work, not knowing anyone else, has been a learning experience. How do you make new friends with the people you live with in shared accommodation in an unfamiliar city? Start by learning their names.

Workmate

I have spent 5 days trying to figure out the girl I work with. We are similar ages. We both come from Australia. We are both locuming in an unfamiliar place, in a foreign country, having to work side by side sharing the workload.

How to work out your address (but not how to make friends)

The UK postcode system is truly amazing. Its a complicated arrangement of numbers and letters, such that when you tell someone what it is (like the pizza delivery man or the bank teller), they type it into their little computer, and it can work out exactly what street and suburb you live in. The only other information they need is your house number. Pretty nifty.

This is fantastic in theory. But moving to hospital accommodation, without a tenancy agreement or any sort of documentation, means I had no idea of my address.

How to dine alone

My top tips for the dreaded lone restaurant visit.

How to go to the theatre alone

This one's a bit trickier than dining alone. But it can be done!