Points to note:

Out of hours cover is now provided by GP co-operatives for most practices. 
However, we still need to carry drugs and equipment for emergencies, whether 
on-call for a co-op or during the daytime for urgent calls.

What do you need:

                           in your car?
                           in the boot of your car?
                           on your person?
                           at home, ready to take out?
                           easily available at the surgery?

Some doctors carry most things in their bag, on every visit.

Some take only a prescription pad, auriscope, thermometer etc, but no bag.
Everything else is in a bag in the car.

What do you need for any emergencies?

                           a) Injections
                           b) Oral drugs

Think about (I) Expiry dates  (ii) Security  (iii) The temperature in your bag (and car)

What diagnostic equipment do you need?

What administrative items do you need (note paper, request forms, etc)?

What emergencies do you need to be equipped for?

Consider:
                           Cardiovascular
                           Respiratory
                           Acute surgical (e.g. abdominal)
                           Neurological
                           General (e.g. anaphylaxis)
                           Allergic
                           Psychiatric
                           Trauma and Orthopaedic
                           Other problems

For each problem, think of injections (I.V., I.M., subcutaneous, etc)
and oral medication, e.g. tablets, medicines, starter packs etc.

Remember, that if a situation may be life-threatening or very urgent, you should
telephone "999" which will bring you an ambulance with well-trained paramedics, oxygen,
a defibrillator etc. You will need to attend as well, but you can all work together.

If your training practice works with a GP co-operative on-call group such as Cornwall's
"Kernowdoc" you will be gradually introduced to the on-call arrangements provided by the
group.

In any event, when you are "on-call" for a night or a week-end, you will always have a GP
principal partner covering you, or with you. Do not hesitate to telephone your covering doctor for
advice if you are in any doubt. Often it is just for reassurance about whether to admit 
a patient to hospital or not. Or for advice about diagnosis or treatment. Sometimes it is 
to do with reporting vs. not reporting a death to the coroner. You should (nearly!) always 
find your trainer supportive...


                         Tutorial provided by Andrew Crawshaw - Mevagissey - 1999