More "Downstairs" than "Upstairs"

Image via WikipediaAfter my first couple of years or so in "Mans Service" as it was called back in the so-called swinging 60's, I could have been forgiven for being of the opinion that I had in fact joined a cleaning company rather than a  Fighting Machine that was capable of policing troubles the world over. In fairness, I had "travelled", perhaps not to all corners of the globe, but I had seen North Wales, Talacre Beach, Rhyl Seafront, Hollywell on a cold day and Colwyn Bay. Add to this the move to that well known epicentre of excitement-Tidworth.

The Tidworth move I do not regret for one moment. It was, for me, the start of a life long learning curve that stays with me even until today. The hunger for learning has not left me. Sadly, there was the small matter of what I was learning. Largely it was cleaning. This next chapter of Life In The Fast lane, sorry, "Once Upon A Time" will reveal secrets of even more cleaning!!

Cleaning consisted of High Cleaning, Low Cleaning, Cupboard Cleaning, Cardboard Box Cleaning, Needle Tray Cleaning, Scissor Tray Cleaning, Patient Trolley Cleaning, Surgeons Boots Cleaning and.........laundry. Well, someone had to wash and iron the cotton reusable facemasks and theatre caps, so why not get the trainee techs to do it. (I must be fair and say that the Theatre Sisters did their fair share of this last part of cleaning as well as with the needle and scissor trays)

The High (and low) cleaning was oh so much fun! After every list all theatre furniture, including anaesthetic machines, operating tables and suction apparatus etc., was removed to the foyer area, while buckets full of steaming hot soap and water was spread across all floor areas of the theatre, anaesthetic room, scrub up area, laying up room (instrument prep room) and sluice area. It was at this point that it became clear that whoever had designed the suite of rooms had done so with a sense of humour and cunning. Then the builders had been brought on board and persuaded to lay the floors so that they tilted away from the drains, by which route we were challenged to persuade the water to leave. Hands up whoever it was said "I bet the floors were set to drain the water in the opposite direction". Spot on, hole in one so to speak. Still, being almost as devious as the designers etc., we persuaded the water away and into the drains.

Added to the above daily ritual, there was the weekly "Blitzing" to look forward to. same emptying routines, but then out came "The Stirrup Pump". The aim became not only to clean the floor, but the walls as well. A good "stirrup pump aimer" could point the hose bit at the walls while person number two pumped feverishly, with such deliberate aim that the corner was cleaned efficiently without wetting the ceiling. As you might imagine, wetting the ceiling turned the rooms into something approaching a tropical rain forest with it taking hours to stop dripping. Not only were the walls and floors sprayed, but anything that moved was likely to be soaked, i.e, any person foolish enough to enter the room during this procedure was immediately soaked. Not too bad when the water was warm, but as it cooled after hitting you, it was bordering on the cold side to say the least. I always found myself on the pumping end of the procedure. Possibly my aim was found to be suspect.

Cupboard cleaning was an every weekend  experience. Tidworth Theatres were blessed with a number of cupboards I never saw equalled, let alone exceeded, throughout the whole of my 23 years and 231 days in Her Majestys Armed Forces, regardless of where I worked. The biggest, and possibly least favourite were the Surgical Instrument cupboards. In the days to which I refer, there were only ever a small number of pre-packed and sterilised instrument sets. There were just a General (basic) set of instruments that were used as a starter kit for cases where an incision was required and added to this was a Tracheostomy Set, Hysterectomy Set and Tonsil Set. All other instruments required for any and all other use, were "sterilised" in the Laying Up room using steam heated water. It was occasionally possible however to construct a set in advance of a pre-planned list or individual case.

In the cupboards were perhaps around 1000 or more instruments, ranging from tiny "Bulldog Clamps" used in fine vascular surgery, to large Aorta Clamps, Amputation Shields and Saws. I know it sounds a little odd, but all techs would have their favourite instrument, based upon it's design. Mine was the Myoma Screw-a beautifully designed and perfectly manufactured "screw" shaped instrument with a handle, used to.....perhaps I should leave it there!!
                                                      .........................
Next time I'll be talking about work carried out by the Theatre Technicians outside of the Operating Theatre. Vesatility being the name of the game.