Had a fairly pleasant but long shift yesterday, resulting in me being knackered today. Just ran into my dad in Asda and could barely speak to him. My head is aching and I just wanted to get out of the damn place.

Took the dog out this morning and called by my mum's. She looked upset but claims to be alright. She has been told that she has to retire on ill health grounds and has to see someone at work this week to discuss it further. She has been a postwoman for years and was Accrington's first postwoman, but due to her poor circulation in her legs cannot do the walks any longer. They have been really good with her and have let her stay in and do the sorting. Unfortunately the majority of the sorting is done at Blackburn and Preston...

I am working a long day tomorrow 7.30am until 9pm. I hate long days but it's a case of needs must. Had a rather heated discussion with one of our consultants this morning regarding the lack of staff in our unit. Her complaint was that we are unable to bring inductions to delivery suite due to lack of staff to look after them. Although I agree entirely I ended up saying that it is impossible to conjure staff out of thin air. Our managers are sick of us going to them on a daily basis complaining about poor staffing. We know that there are vacancies but the higher echleons will not release the money for them.

The upshot was that I suggested that maybe the consultants should be approaching management, as it is obvious that they are...

Had a nice trip out on Tuesday to Lancaster. Mooched around the shops for a bit and went for a late lunch. Then went on to Morecambe. I haven't been there for years, what a depressing place!!! Depsite the sun the place was dead, apart from several elderly people sitting in deckchairs on the grass along the front. I can honestly say that the place has decomposed faster than Accy, and I'm beginning to wonder whether we share the same council.....

Went back into work yesterday to find us busy. I don't know why I ever expect it to be any different. Sparky was feeling sickly all yesterday and blames eating a dodgy mushroom with our Lancaster lunch, but we had the same food and I was ok. I probably have a really strong constitution...

Hehehehe, I've just had to drag the dog to the vet for her annual booster and check-up. She hates it......

She is so disruptive in the waiting room that we are often asked to wait outside as she sets all the other animals off yowling, barking and meowing.

I have this routine whenever it's vet time. I take her for a long walk to tire her out a bit. We then go home and have a drink, I grab a handful of biscuits and off we go. I can keep her quiet for a short time by holding a biscuit in front of her, but the silence doesn't last long.

We went into the surgery today to find it empty. I had barely planted my bum on the seat when they called us in. We were in and out in 2 minutes with the minimum of fuss....

A horrible week has passed...... Been so busy, bed shortages, no meal breaks and short tempers. I'm glad to be off for a couple of days.

Had a sleepless night last night following the tragic death of a very premature baby. We were all so upset trying to support the parents and each other. When babies are born so extremely premature that their eyes are still fused together it is fruitless trying to attempt resuscitation. I feel that it is a blessing just to wrap them up and let them die in the arms of their parents with a little dignity. No needles, no tubes and no drugs to try and support their little bodies.

You see at 24 weeks, although considered viable, babies have only a very small chance of survival. Our...