In case you missed it, the Commonwealth Games came to an end in Glasgow yesterday. What a fantastic experience for athletes, for Glasgow and for the Commonwealth. I have been delighted to play my own small part as a volunteer. For the last couple of weeks I have been working shifts in the pharmacy which is located in the polyclinic within the athletes village.
Here are a few things I've learnt from my time as a Clyde-Sider:
- Stamina is a key requirement. An early shift means early with a capital "E" - Leaving home at 5.30am and a late shift finished way past my bedtime!
- True multidisciplinary working is easy when you are all under one roof. The doctors wander into the pharmacy for advice or a chat and we can check test results and introduce a patient to a physiotherapist just by walking a few yards.
- Even super- human athletes can be felled by hayfever during a Scottish summer!
- Volunteering is good for the soul. I have met colleagues from across the country all who have given up their time to do this role. All united by our workforce uniforms. It is a great leveller.
- The commonwealth games serves a vital role for the commonwealth member countries. Offering access to preventative dental and optical care when these facilities may not be easily available at home.
- The pharmacy has (amongst other things) been reponsible for dishing out close to 40000 condoms during the last two weeks!
Normal service will resume for me tomorrow. It has been great to be part of this and I would recommend it to anyone else who is looking for a new challenge.It is only 1338 until the next Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
I wonder if they will need pharmacist volunteers?
