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One day as a paramedic was running off to attend another job, she told her there was a job going at Wellington Free that sounded perfect for her.

Although the applications had closed, Wellington Free accepted Sheena’s CV and interviewed her for a role as an Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) for a new service called Urgent Community Care – or UCC.

“I was very excited to have been successful for this role. I seemed to have a leaning towards emergency care during my nursing career, particularly learning how to manage the ‘simple stuff’ without needing emergency hospital attendance,” Sheena says.

“There was a lot to learn to become competent in this area of health care and this new role was ideal for me.  My career as a health professional has led me to this end point which is where I feel I am most effective and happy in my work,” she says.

UCC was introduced in the Kapiti region in 2009 and is a unique service based on a UK model of care primarily aimed at treating people at home.

The service now has an expanding group of ECP’s working across Porirua and Kapiti.

Sheena says some of the best things about being a part of this service is that paramedics are close and very supportive of each other; they also have a real passion for continued learning and expansion of our skills and this service.

“The patients we see are very grateful for our full assessment skills and holistic approach. I tell my patients we like to do a bit of a WOF; and because the service is unique we can spend a little more time with them to do this effectively.”

Sheena explains that many are relieved to see their little 4WDs instead of an ambulance as they know they have more of a chance being treated at home rather than going to hospital.

Although Sheena and the UCC crew still occasionally have to transport patients to hospital, they’re often rewarded with a lovely hug from the patient and family members.

“UCC closes a gap in health care,” Sheena says.

“I think we sit between the rock and the hard place. The rock being GP practice and the hard place the hospital emergency department.

“This is a valuable service that continues to expand and one I wish to continue to be a part of for many years to come.”