Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 05:54
I would like to start this message by saying a big thank you to all of you who gave up time with your friends and families to work over the bank holiday weekend to help keep our communities safe, I hope you all have some time in the coming weeks to relax and recover.
I am also very sad to tell you that three of our colleagues in the EEAST family passed away over the Easter weekend. Our thoughts are with their family and friends.
Reflections on a multi-faith Trust
This year we have had a number of religious events occurring together including Easter, Ramadan and Passover. This only happens once every 33 years and is a good reminder of the diversity of our service and the communities that we serve across our region, this is something that Hein, our Director of Strategy, Culture and Education explores in his new monthly blog on equality and diversity within EEAST and which you can find on Need to Know.
Junior doctors’ strikes
We are continuing to monitor the impact of the junior doctors’ strike this week. As you might expect we are working closely with our partner acute trusts on maintaining patient flow, which at the time of writing has been keeping handover times down.
However, this may change in the coming days and we will be monitoring the situation very closely to ensure that we keep out patients and communities safe.
Multi-union recognition agreement
I am pleased to tell you that the Trust has now formally recognised Unison, GMB and the Royal College of Nursing as the three unions. Previously Unison had been the only recognised union at EEAST.
The formal agreement means that all three unions now have a voice in negotiations with the Trust to ensure a fair and open process for working together, while recognising the rights and interests of each union and its members. I believe that this will enable us to continue to work together to improve the working environment here at the Trust for all our people. Looking after all of you is the best way that we can continue to improve the care we provide for our communities.
Uncomfortable conversation on supporting trans colleagues
The AACE and the College of Paramedics are holding the latest in a series of zoom calls on ‘Uncomfortable Conversations’ on Monday 17 April 2023.
All ambulance service employees and volunteers are invited to attend the session which aims to increase understanding and awareness of how we can improve the experiences of our trans employees, patients and service users. The session will be facilitated by Tracy Nicholls, CEO, College of Paramedics and Anna Parry, Deputy Managing Director, AACE.
More information and joining details can be found on the AACE website.
Keeping our people and patients safe on the road
The Trust is now preparing to activate the Vehicle Closed Circuit Television (VCCTV) that is installed in all Fiat double-staffed ambulances. We want to be able to protect our people and patients from violence and aggression while they are in EEAST vehicles, as well to be able to learn from those incidents where, unfortunately, an injury or harm is caused.
The technology has both forward and rear-view dashcams and is also equipped with interior video – which can only be activated by the crew - to help ensure the safety of crews and patients.
We have taken some time to work with our unions and colleagues to put in place software and system protocols to protect the privacy of patients and staff. Now these are in place we are training crews and managers to use the system. You can find more information here.
Thank you Thursday
Thank you for everything you are continuing to do for our patients and communities.
Tom
Published 13th April 2023