Here is another thing us ambulance people do - house inspections.

Working solo on the car I'm sent to a one year old with difficulty in breathing. It's on the ground floor of a large block of flats. I'm happy as it's half past six, so the night is nearly over and I'm ready to head home.

The ambulance crew turn up while I'm waiting for the door to open. I'll still come into the flat as, if the child is terribly sick, an extra pair of hands is always helpful.

Walking into the shared bedroom the child is laying in it's cot, the parents getting dressed ready to go to hospital.

The atmosphere in the room is incredibly oppressive, it's like being in a greenhouse. One wall of the room is taken up with a huge black furry shape. I've seen damp cause mold and fungal growth before, but this is the sort of growth that would have Quatermass quaking in his boots.

It was no wonder that the child was having trouble breathing, us healthy adults were struggling somewhat.

I ask the parents what they are doing about the mildew that is threatening to grow so large that it'll soon start eating small animals.

"The council knows about it, but they aren't doing anything".

The crew and I agree that one of our 'vulnerable child' forms needs to get filled in - hopefully the social workers will kick someone in the council into doing something about the situation. I'm sure it's only a matter of time until the child gets Aspergillosis.

If he didn't have it already.

My foot is still buggered (technical term I know), but I've got an appointment to see my doctor today. I'm just hoping that he's happy to sign me off sick - I can't carry 20st patients downstairs when there is a risk of my foot giving way.