Monday equals No fun day. Worked the weekend but here I am back in theatre all day.
Time to rehash some of my earlier funnier stuff (why is this now in black? A mystery).
From: Kirsty Jordan
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2015 1:12 p.m.
To: Wellington Anaesthesia All Staff
Subject: The seven voyages of Sinbad the scheduler
Hi All,
My first schedule of the New Year, and theatres are already going full steam ahead. Many years ago, when I was a baby anaesthetist, it was usually very quiet for most of January, and you could go home early and really appreciate the Summer. But not these days, when it’s all about meeting planning targets, and…er…helping people. I’ve had some lovely days at the beach, and after working very hard for the last week (production planning this morning was particularly harrowing), I’m now heading off again. Am escaping from all that pesky sunshine (source of wrinkles, sunspots and skin cancer) to the snowy climes of the Northern Hemisphere. Will be catching up with one of our far flung expats currently sojourning in England. I’m having to bring a bag of local goodies because clearly London is on the furthest edge of civilization. (Don’t worry, it’s not an unmarked suitcase full of white powder). Then, because it would be a crime to waste all those greenhouse gases just going a conference and back, I’m spending a couple of weeks in Turkey. My coscheduler has been away this week, and has even more leave planned at the end of January. This gives Will Young a chance to flex his scheduling muscles once again. Don’t worry, Will, it’s just like falling off a bicycle (that doesn’t sound quite right…) Also unused to working hard recently is the good Dr F, making a welcome return on Monday. Just in case you think I am thoughtless by putting him cardiac, he has been doubled up with another anaesthetist. Hope you managed to watch some of the cricket while you were off, Mark.
Speaking of retired schedulers, Chris and I have made the executive decision (well, strictly speaking, Sally did the executive part – but lets not quibble) to close the anaesthetic scheduler email address. I would say that it has outlived it’s usefulness, but it’s never really been that useful. It has only been adding to our workload and leading to some important information being missed. So, it’s going. Not exactly sure of the time of death, but the kill order has gone to IT so just a matter of time. So, you will need to email Chris and/or me about scheduling matters from now on.
Lots of people away this week: the days of plenty have gone. The “available” column is barren once again. We are particularly short of cardiac anaesthetists, so those remaining won’t be straying far from OT’s 1 and 2. Note also that the air conditioning work is ongoing so your lists may not be where you expect them. Some surgeons (mostly ENT and vascular) are still away so there are a few empty theatres that gyne haven’t managed to snaffle.
Monday
No ECT today. Dr C has left us so the golden days of ECT may be over for the Wellington region. He is being replaced by a rotating roster of other psychiatrists, what will this mean for us I wonder?
Tuesday
The cardiology electrophysiology list in radiology ( that’s too many “–ologies” in one sentence – we need a snappier name ) is acutes only.
Wednesday
In a week when we are short of cardiac anaesthetists, by coincidence Sheila and Peter are both teaching this afternoon. Luckily Will is tough enough to cope with four days of cardiac in a row.
Friday
By some miracle, the thoracic list in OT 6 has not yet been cancelled. A surgeon has actually been allocated, so fingers crossed, Geoff.
A busy day at kene, the cancelled ortho list in OT 93 has been reinstated at the last minute. Will they be able to fill it? Watch this space.
OK, that’s it from me. I have a lot of scheduling to sort before I go. Let me know ASAP if there are any problems. Behave yourselves while I’m away.
Cheers,
Kirsty.
Je suis Charlie.