Working Life: A temporary role in the poisons information centre became a 30-year career

'One of the more memorable calls related to an exotic snake. We needed a specific anti-venom and had to source it from the UK'

John Herbert, NPIC manager: 'Summer tends to be busier. The kids are off school and getting up to mischief. We get calls from parents of young kids who’ve ingested household cleaning products looking for information and advice.'

John Herbert, manager, National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC), Beaumont Hospital

“I studied analytical science in DCU and subsequently completed a postgraduate diploma in medical toxicology from Cardiff University. I was working in the toxicology laboratory at Beaumont Hospital when a locum job came up in the NPIC. 

It was only intended as a temporary role but gradually became a 30-year career. This year, the NPIC is celebrating 60 years of service.

“When I started out, there were just two staff. Now, we have six information officers and a service that operates 365 days a year. Like a call centre, we are at the end of the phone from 8am-10pm every day, giving advice on poisoning. Currently, we are receiving around 40 calls a day.

“Summer tends to be busier. The kids are off school and getting up to mischief. We get calls from parents of young kids who’ve ingested household cleaning products looking for information and advice.

“Winter is cough and cold season and calls tend to be more around medication errors. Paracetamol is the big one: Incorrect dosage or incorrect times. Autumn seeks a spike in mushroom enquiries involving children and foragers.

“One of the more memorable calls related to an exotic snake. Anti-venom was required and there was none in the country. We work closely with our colleagues in the UK and we managed to get what we needed to the hospital in four hours. Our overnight calls are handled by the UK National Poisons Information Service.

“About half the calls we get are from the public and the rest are from medics — GPs, pharmacists, paramedics, hospital consultants. But, answering the phone is only one part of the job. The NPIC team is also involved in toxico-vigilance, monitoring trends in poisoning, and identifying emerging hazards. This can range from new drugs appearing on the market to changes in patterns of medication overdose or exposures to household and industrial products.

“I represent the NPIC on a number of national groups, including the Early Warning and Emerging Trends network. The aim is to identify potential threats from new drugs of abuse as early as possible and ensure that healthcare professionals, public health agencies and policymakers have access to accurate information.

“It’s a busy job and for downtime, I like nothing better than to head back to my native county of Kerry, specifically Fenit, where I enjoy sea swimming.”