The sorryness

I would like to take a leaf out of the Australian Prime minister's book, and make an apology. I apologise for neglecting this blog for the last 2 months or so.

My (lame) excuse consists of a combination of being in hospital for a while, and being on an extended holiday.

I just didn't want to think about work, while I was hiking the length and breadth of New Zealand.

But I'm back.

I'm no longer in New Zealand though. For the next year I'm working in sunny Australia. It's really cool over here, and that's not a comment on the heat! My pasty paddy skin was never designed for 30 degree temperatures and high humidity. This has to be the first time in my life that I've gone IN to a neonatal unit to cool down.

Anyway, it's a little soon to be blogging about the Oz healthcare system, as I'm only in the door. I'll be very interested in seeing how it compares tot he New Zealand, UK and Irish systems.

So far it's looking good. But, for starters, the labour ward, the neonatal unit and the adult intensive care dept are all in the one location. This is something you don't always see in Ireland and the UK. All maternity departments will have a baby unit of some sort attached. But many won't have somewhere to put mothers if they become seriously unwell during their labour. We're heading in the right direction back home, but I'm glad to see the Aussies have it sorted,

I also noticed that I get paid by the hour here!! Like I have a timesheet. Getting paid for overtime will be a new experience for me. Not sure if I'll cope.

Anyway, more posts will follow as I settle into the job. I start with 3 months of neonatology in an enormous unit, so much fun and frolics are sure to follow!

Watch this space..............