u/concreteheadrest77

Got a call from IBTS today saying they are down to 2 units of AB- to please come in if I can. I have a temporary contraindication to donating at the moment but figured I can at least pass the word on.

I know it’s dependent on the travelling clinics in most of the country but if you’re Dublin based, D’Olier Street will take your blood any day, just call or book online.

If you’re an existing donor but you’ve recently moved you might be getting updates and calls for the wrong location, so worth logging on and updating details!

Worth going in if you are a new donor as well, your donation won’t help this dry spell but will in future!

Friendly changeover(ish) reminder that it’s good practice when picking up a call or returning a bleep to say who you are! Not just “hello?” or worse “yeah?” Preferably “this is *name*, Dr *Consultant name’s* intern/SHO/reg”.

It really gets the phone call off to a nice clear start, ensures you’re speaking to the right person (and if not, the phone call can end sooner) instead of the awkward “uhh hello, this is bla bla from bla bla, who am I speaking to?” preamble.

Often, especially when calling from outside the hospital, you’ve already been listening to the phone ringing or waiting music for a while, maybe transferred by switch to a few places trying to find the right person or department so there’s no need to add to the chaos by keeping your identity a secret!

This isn’t just doctors, all professions are guilty of this, sadly also those whose job descriptions explicitly include answering the phone… 😅 But the hope is, the more standard it becomes, the more others will pick up the habit too.

I won’t even go into the fee hike, as there are many other threads about that, but just wanted to say that the way the renewal email is phrased as “applying” for the annual retention irritates me so much way before even getting to the (over)paying stage.

Why do I have to “apply” for something that is a legal requirement for me to do and that I have to pay through the nose for? As if on a whim they might not grant me my registration.

And while I’m on my soapbox I am willing to bet that in an international comparison, Irish doctors would come out as the most fucked by their own regulatory body. It should be tax funded.

IMC revolution anyone?

My cat has gagged a few times in the last few days as if he is about to bring up a hairball, but then he just sort of smacks his mouth and nothing happens.

He doesn’t vomit hairballs often generally, and he seems generally well, just maybe resting a bit more than usual, so not sure if I’m overthinking it or if this is something to be worried about. Also getting married next weekend so don’t want a veterinary disaster happening this week! Any advice?

Hi!
Going to a wedding in Bellinter House and a couple of international friends need to get to the airport early in the morning after the wedding on Sunday morning. What’s the easiest way to get there? It’s a 9am flight (I know, v early after a wedding but it is what it is).

If the answer is taxi, what’s the rough price and any taxi recs?

Cheers!