# 26 - Flushots at the IBIS, and umbrellas in my drink!

#26 - The Dawning of a new day.  One where i take up the opportunistic health sword once again and hit the local shops...well ... shop and offer Flu Vaccinations.  I met Susie, an RN staying on the island.  Susie is originally from East Germany and tells an interesting saga of her youth.  In chatting she revealed yesterday that she is currently undertaking the QH immunisation nursing course, and that she requires another hour of clinical observation prior to her workshop next week.  Well, those that know me, know i can spot a learning opportunity at 1000 paces, so what a great opportunity to get out and conduct my first ever FluVax clinic.

I endorsed as an immunisation nurse in 2007 but being stuck in an office job, there was little opportunities to practice the skills, and actually apply the clinical knowledge.  This was going to be a Win:Win:Win day. 

At 9Am we went through the protocols and packed the esky the way that Donna, SueS and Theresa would be proud (those that know D, SS and T know who I am talking about!!). We packed up 40 Flu Vaccinations, our safety , emergency and anaphylaxis gear.  Sourced our HMP, Standing order, Immunisation handbook, PCCM, Cold chain record book, Letter to the Queen, and every other document that we thought we might need, packed the toyota, and armed with a huge banner we set up a makeshift clinic outside the IBIS convenience store on Darnley Island.

In minutes we had islanders coming from all angles, and with a nice litte system of documentation, and screening interviews we had worked out, soon had more than two dozen sharps under our belt.  Susie then had to catch a flight off to the mainland, so I dropped her, Mala her daughter and Dr Juerg her hubby off at the air strip just in time to catch the most amazing footage (on my iPhone camera), of the tiny 6 seater Barrier aircraft landing in windy conditions...."Go the Barf bag ", I thought, but didn't articulate!!

Waved the family off for their 2 week break...the island is now Doctorless for a fortnight.  So it was back to the clinic to grab Lucy our Centre manager and Health worker extraordinaire, to complete the vaccination task with me. 

Phase Two:  Im Mohamed wont come to the mountain, take the mountain to Mohamed!!  Some of the adults that would miss out on the opportunistic vaccinations on offer at the shop, were the school teachers and teacher aides.  So Lucy and I took the vaccination esky to the school.  I got to meet some of the folk, and between the library and the staff room, soon exhausted our supply of 40 vaccinations.  That is so great.  40 people that might have otherwise contracted the flu this season.  I love this public/primary health stuff.

I returned to the clinic to a mountain of VIVAS documentation , charting and nice feedback about some complex dressings I consulted on over the last couple of days,  healing really well.  The communication between nurses and health workers here is encouraging.  These folk are fun loving, and I am having a great time learning their culture, and language.

Today was a great day.  I feel like I have done a good job, that I am well received, and the sense of optimism today is high.  I am not on call tonight, so I might slurp a rum or two tonight, because for the next 4 days, I am taking call.

Addit: 1800hrs

Im looking out at a group of 30 or so young blokes playing touch footy on a rustic patch of grass on the foreshore of an  incredible Coral cove.  It is surreal, foreign, raw, but oh so comfortable.  I can see myself living this island life long term....especially when the texts from my friends and family 3000 km south speak of 3 degree temperatures and frozen washing on the line.  Im drinking a coconut drink, with rum & pineapple juice, in a light T and shorts, taking in the Darnley Island preparation for State of Origin next Wednesday night....Where is my twizel stick, and cocktail umbrella??  And should I peel another prawn?

Living the dream!!