i operate the telephone helpline on the graveyard shift
-that's the one from midnight through to the morning.
Although it's quiet and still in the streets outside,it's not so quiet in the office.
The early hours of the morning are sometimes busiest time,when the telephone never stops ringing.
People call the helpline for in formation or advice, or sometimes they just need to hear a friendly voice.
We talk to people who are depressed and worried,and sometimes in pain. Sometimes we get some funny enquiries-yesterday, a teenager phoned because he had swallowed gum and he was afraid he was going to dine!
we can't see our patients,so we have to be very good on the phone. We have to learn how to do it, because it doesn't come naturally. We have to know how to ask the right questions so that we get clear and accurate answers, and we have to be able to speak in language anyone can understand.