3 minute read
Interview with Paramedic NUTAN
Nutan is a paramedic and married mother of one based in the borough of Fylde. She tells Your Call about her career progression, how her culture has influenced her work and her appearance in the upcoming BBC Ambulance series.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
I have worked for NWAS for 12 years. I was made redundant by my previous employer and my husband said I was spending far too much money, so I needed to get another job! I applied for many different roles and was invited to interview as an emergency call handler. I didn’t really know what I was getting into to be honest, but I got the job.
I never had the ambition to be on the road. Still, after a couple of years of call taking, working in dispatch, and then working on the then-new major trauma cell, I decided to apply to become an emergency medical technician (EMT) as I felt l needed a new challenge. I accepted the offer of a role, but days later found out I was pregnant. I continued with clinical training but knew I wouldn’t be able to go out responding to patients.
On my return from maternity leave, I had to wait a while for the next EMT training course to complete the driving element, so I went back to working in the 999 call centre.
After working as an EMT for a number of years, I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to progress to become a paramedic due to the introduction of an internal fast track route, which was a fantastic experience. I have been a paramedic for over two and a half years now.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I am proud to put on my uniform and represent the trust. I love arriving at work, jumping on a vehicle and be out meeting different people every day. I love helping people and making a difference in their lives, however big or small that difference is.
I have a particular affection for older people. I’m Indian and within my culture, elderly relatives generally live with the family; my nan lives with my mum and dad. It makes me really sad when elderly people are alone and I am the only person they have spoken to or even seen for months. I love caring for and helping them however I can, even if it’s the smallest thing like making them a cup of tea and having a chat. It’s just embedded in my heart to do that.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK OF YOUR JOB AS A PARAMEDIC?
My husband is very supportive but has never had a real concept of what I do on a day-to-day basis. More recently, mainly due to COVID-19, I have talked more about the work I do to him and my 10 year old son, so they question me now and have an interest in the situations I handle every day.
My parents come from a generation where children are generally pushed into business or medicine. I didn’t set out to be a paramedic; it just fell that way for me. They are pleased that I do a job that I love.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD CHALLENGES IN YOUR CAREER BECAUSE OF YOUR CULTURE?
Yes, I have experienced racism in the past, someone threw an ashtray at me once, but I honestly believe that if someone is in a life-threatening situation they will accept my help, regardless of the colour of my skin. If a patient is racially abusive towards me and they are conscious and breathing, I will walk away from the situation.
FINALLY, YOU HAVE BEEN FILMED FOR BBC AMBULANCE, HOW WAS THAT?
It was my colleague Lisa who influenced me to do it, we did it and we really enjoyed it. It was filmed during a challenging time with COVID-19, so we had to work differently, but we always try to make the best of every situation.
I was conscious about working when the pandemic started due to the risks associated with someone like me and my family. I had a chat with my manager and decided to continue to work as I have always been able to control the environments I enter with PPE. I thought I’m probably safer at work than in the supermarket.
