Students praised for quick response
Joyce Giheno, an AUT New Zealand Pacific Scholarships Award from Papua New Guinea, and another AUT student, Annie Nuualitiitia, were driving home from their Clinical Practice 2 Scenario examinations and were ‘first on the scene’ at a car vs bus crash in Papatoetoe.
The AUT paramedicine students were already dressed in their uniform, including high-visibility wear following their exam.
By the time the fully qualified St John Ambulance paramedics arrived on the scene (some time after the collision) Joyce and Annie had assessed the car, attended to the injured driver, assisted the 40 passengers from the bus to determine there were no injuries, and obtained details from each person. They ensured that all were safe and that the Fire Service, on their arrival, had a list of all passengers and contact phone numbers collected at the scene.
The St John Ambulance paramedics subsequently advised AUT Paramedicine Department that Joyce and Annie’s actions and handover were as, if not more, professional than many more experienced paramedics.
Luke Summers, Programme Leader, Paramedicine Department, complimented their action and acknowledged their efforts.
“Well done to Joyce and Annie on a calm, professional and structured handling of a complex scene. They both really stepped up and shone as paramedics in a time of need.”
This is indeed another occasion when we are reminded of what a wonderful group of students we are fortunate to have at AUT, and amongst the Ministry of Foreign Affairs NZ Scholarships Programme community.
Joyce advises that the MFAT NZPS Scholarship has given her the opportunity “to follow my passion as a paramedic and help make a difference in people’s lives. It’s been an enjoyable experience studying at AUT; the quality of training is second to none. Especially when faced with a real-life scenario in the field the training just seems to become second nature, I can only thank my trainers for that.”
When Joyce returns home to Papua New Guinea, to apply skills developed while on scholarship, she is going to make a wonderful paramedic in her community.