I like a good internet craze. My favourite was: Where the hell is Matt?
You know the one: nice chubby cheeky chappy, Matt Harding, does his little dance in 1001 different locations around the world. As he dances, you’re always wondering whether A. the wildlife behind him is going to tire of his jig and eat him or B. how did he manage to find so many locals to dance with him with such terrible rhythm.
I also liked Rickrolling. Eh? That’s the one where everyone accidentally pays homage to Rick Astley. Wily pranksters place links on their webpages directed at ‘relevant information’ elsewhere on the web. Of course, when you click on it, you go through to Rick’s Never Gonna Give You Up. The fad has brought Rick’s video nearly 20 million views on YouTube.
On a slightly different note, here’s a definitive guide on how to secure a platinum Clinical Excellence Award.
There are plenty of others, such as dancing hamsters and bad Chuck Norris jokes, but by now you’re probably asking yourself (in Mattesque fashion): “What the hell has this got to do with doctors?”
Well, it’s a long-winded way of introducing the latest craze that a number of health professionals at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital are probably now regretting. Seven doctors and nurses have just been suspended for their part in the Lying Down game.
The game involves being pictured lying down with arms by your side and toes pointing towards the floor in unusual locations. Unfortunately, the Secret Swindon Emergency Department Group, as they were called on Facebook, made their images (lying down on resuscitation trolleys, ward floors and the air ambulance helipad) a little too available. Management is not amused. Come on guys, go easy on them. They’re still good doctors and nurses (and it is funny).
So, we now know what the next internet craze is going to be, a campaign to free the Swindon seven…
I’m starting the Swindon Seven campaign here and now! They were just having a laugh, presumably no patients were affected.
What are you going to campaign for?
That they’re all allowed back to work after a ticking off. Would seem foolish to take further action/ruin their careers over something like this.
Ok, I’m with you on that. Free the Swindon Seven! Unless I’m missing something, it doesn’t sound too terrible.
I liked the guy who lay flat on top of the post box. Don’t suppose he’s from Swindon though.
I couldn’t possibly comment (or condone this behaviour, particularly if it happens in A&E and is amusing). This campaign will be based on a matter of principle - it was youthful hijinks, no one got hurt, slap on the wrists through temporary suspension, back to work, don’t do it again.
Not suspended for a year, long investigation, referral to GMC, loads of restrictions put on practice and career blighted!
If trusts do insist on removing all the on-call rooms where are you going to lie down…
I’m not sure the issue revolves around them needing more time to rest, the issue revolves around them pratting about.
Suspension is probably deserved on the grounds of idiocy.
Like no one ever pratted around when you were training?
At last the general population can see the quality of management we are dealing with. Small minds going nowhere. Totally rediculous over-reaction. leave them alone to get on with a normal life.
I would like to see the ’suspenders’ suspended - preferably by the thumbs (or other sensitive parts of their anatomy) - while someone ‘investigates’ their mental ‘processes’ and their ability to ‘manage’ effectively. But don’t managers go on expensive ‘courses’ in ‘bonding’ where they play silly games?!
Retired Orthopod - who was young once!