How many crabs ?

Today I went into the Daintree and spent some time retracing the path our family took on the guided tour we took a couple of months ago, but on my own was at a much more leisurely pace, and with my camera indulged in quite a few photos. The "marsh" area was a lot drier, has not been much rain at all. But the wet season will return soon no doubt.

Oncall Staurday night was a little bizzare - expected to be busy so stayed in a room at the hospital. Put my head down at about 9:30pm and woke to my alarm at 6:30am. No attention required of me, although I did wake a few times overnight to check my phone was still working !

Sunday I went into Port Douglas ("Port" to the locals) and strolled around the markets ... bought a few things, including something for Allison and Caroline for their upcoming 18th birthday.

Mossman - Day 3

What can I say folks ? ( thats a rhetorical question ! )

Anyone who wants to consider rural general practice as a career path an extended stay at Mossman is on your list of "must do" positions.

A surprisingly good bunch of local GPs (okay I am biased because of some less than inspirational experiences with GPs in many locales over the years - btw - I am a GP who sets personally high standards so I speak from an informed opinionated position now, unlike my arrogant, ill-informed position as a hospital resident in the mid-80's), an energetic med super, one of the world's most beautiful places to work, and a job that gives the opportunity to be at the coalface of medical presentations and then directly involved in the ongoing responsibility of care for any admissions to the ward - continuity of care at its best and with the support of the local medicos (especially currently the med super and an advanced rural GP trainee), there is a great opportunity for experience in the style of medical management of patients one just does not get in city practice anymore. Wow that was effusive wasn't it !? .. sorry.

I have not worked a night oncall yet (thats tomorrow, Thursday) nor a weekend shift yet (thats Saturday with Sat night oncall) so the "honeymoon" period might vanish with a flash, but first impressions are good.

I met up with Mike who was leaving as I arrived (one day overlap) ... he has been here twice now and he enjoys working here (and the patients and staff love having him around too !). It brought back memories of "handover" time at Knox ED.

We have three medical students with us here - they are seeing (as I am of course) some great medicine, even this morning in ED we diagnosed a young man (incidental to his presentation really) Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. We may have just saved this guy's life.

I will post again after my Saturday working ... Sunday is off and what I do is dependent on whether or not I need some sleep catchup from Saturday night. Sunday I will probably check out the Sunday markets in Port Douglas, and Monday will be a trip into the Daintree.

Catch you all again soon.

Mossman

I have arrived in Mossman and settling into the accommodation and adapting to the weather change from cold Melbourne weather. The accommodation provided is at Plantation Resort, an older style "resort" that is a little away from the hospital (about 15kms) and sits on the main road near the turn-off to Port Douglas in a place called Craiglie (see google map below, Mossman is to the north west). Sounds nice but actually would be a struggle to stay here without a car ... its not within walking distance to anywhere and sits next to light industrial. The local supermarket (IGA) is open 7.00am - 9.00pm everyday, so I should be able to access the necessaries to be self sufficient foodwise that is. The facilities of the unit I am staying in are of a good standard, basic kitchenette (no oven or dishwasher), dining area/lounge, small laundry, two bedrooms each with ensuite. Ceiling fans in each room and ample airconditioning although I have found it not needed at this stage. Internet access is via 3G network (both Telstra and Optus have a good signal here) and I am hoping to gain access to the resort's wireless node, but the "office" is not open on the weekends after midday Saturday as its currently deemed "off season" and appears to be open only whilst I am working during the week. I start work in the morning, do a ward round/handover and then orientated to my tasks for the locum.

Will give you an update once I get into a work routine and get my roster. By the way, the photo is of the main entrance to the hospital grounds, its a "multi-purpose health service" as you can see by the sign. Took the photo today on the way past to the Mossman Gorge for a walk. I am hoping the longer walk around the Mossman Gorge rainforest will be open before I leave - the restoration works on the bridge are still happening and scheduled to continue until 1st September (at least). Also looking forward to rostered time off to go back to the Daintree, about 35km north of Mossman.

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I feel not that good ...

I had a Boostrix vaccination on Tuesday and since Thursday evening I have been feeling awful ... I thought I had been careless in ED and coming down with gastro or even the cane toad flu, but nope ... I checked the side effects list of Boostrix and I've got them all, and nothing else that would be considered consistent with a full blown flu or gastro. *sigh* I have not been able to multi-task all day, still fatigued and my muscles still ache. Fun fun .. I am oncall overnight tonight and tomorrow night before I finish on the Sunday and head home early Monday morning. I have been seeing interesting things and helping deal with significant illness over the last couple of weeks here ... as is normal for this place really. Fractured femur from a motocross accident, assisting with a previously healthy man dying from a massive intracranial bleed, shattered calcaneus from a fall from a water tank, pyloric stenosis in a 5 week old babe needing urgent transport to Brisbane, respiratory distress in a 1 day old neonate. I feel that Gladstone is becoming my home away from home ... great people to work with !



Photos for your viewing pleasure ... 1)&2) the inland dry of central Qld, 3) this what happens if you work with horses without your protective footware.


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