Not half as funny as some of our fellow subscribers' previous occupations! After asking readers several issues back about what they did before pushing a cab, Call Sign investigates the first response. This one is from Richard Rootes (W12)...

Hands up those of you that know what an O.D.A. is? Not many of you, I bet. Around 15 years ago, I was exactly the same as you - not knowing what an O.D.A was. Working in the admissions department at Guy's Hospital was one of my many past jobs and it was here that I learned that there were places available on the O.D.A. training course. To put you out of your misery, an O.D.A. is an Operating Department Assistant. Still none the wiser? Well, basically you have most of the responsibilities and duties of a Theatre Nurse with the option to specialise in either Surgery or Anaesthesia. The course lasted for what I can only describe as two of the most fascinating years of my life...

Training as an O.D.A.
The training is very much 'hands on' with a relatively short but intense academic induction to very quickly being thrust into the (then) very busy world of Guy's Main Theatres. You had to spend six months at a time in the departments.
I began in Anaesthetics and soon found that there was much more to the job than meets the eye. The one thing that was constantly emphasised was that the patients we were caring for had placed their complete trust in us and we were there to give them the best treatment we could. Our training co-ordinator always told us to treat each patient like your mum - then you wouldn't go far wrong!
There was a bewildering amount to learn - from the complete anatomy of the human body to surgical procedures, instrument names, drug strengths

IT'S A FUNNY OLD GAME!

and doses and maintenance of equipment. The list just seemed endless. Sounds like something all of us had to endure, doesn't it!
Those of us that watch television programmes such as ER and Casualty are often bewildered by what is actually being said and why things are happening in a certain way. We have no such worries in our house!
I have to tell you about one of my funniest moments: I was working on the Anaesthetics side, and one day was checking through the list of patients and procedures for my Theatre. Whose name should I see but someone that did their best to make my life hell when I was at school. I'll never forget the look of horror on his face as I pulled my mask down and winked at him at the point where he was about to lose consciousness. Well, he deserved it!

Removal Work!
One of the things I was always being asked was what kind of operations I'd seen or assisted with. I'd have to say the most interesting and 'uncomfortable' for obvious reasons, was a male to female sex change. It made my eyes water, I can tell you!
Another part of the course involved a stint on a surgical ward, where we had to learn about what care was needed 'post-op' and how our actions in

the Theatre influenced the outcome of the treatment - ie in relation to wound dressing, suture material etc. We very quickly learned that it's much easier to take care of people when they're asleep!
   The social scene within the Hospital was, and no doubt still is, second to none! As with any stressful environment, the old saying work hard and play hard was never more true than at Guy's. There was always a party going on somewhere and the staff bar had the cheapest beer in town! (Eds note: And all those women dressed as nurses!!!)
   Like any job, it had its bad points though. The hours you had to put in was one, traumatic procedures was another, but worst of all was the pay. The N.H.S. at that time was not particularly well known for its generosity, and it was this above all, which drove me away.
   I was young with big ideas and wanted to earn fast money - so why I became a cabby, I'll never know!
   It was a shame having to push all of that medical knowledge to one side to make way for another kind, but it's all still up there somewhere..............

Did you do something interesting before doing the Knowledge? Let Call Sign readers know about it...

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