Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 19 May 2024 at 01:00
Celebrating Long Service
It’s a week of celebration across the trust as we are finally able to hold our first Long Service Awards events for three years. On Tuesday night, I was lucky enough to be able to join many of you at Newmarket Racecourse for the first event. We celebrated a wide range of achievements including 40 years of service, 10 years of volunteering and 20 years of working at the frontline, commemorated with the Queen’s Medal.
Meeting people face to face is something that has taken on a new significance for all of us post Covid and being able to share these special milestones with colleagues, family and friends is something I am sure none of us now take for granted. I know that many of you, too, will be looking forward to attending the second event in Wyboston this evening.
NHS Big Tea
On Tuesday it is the annual NHS Big Tea event, which encourages communities to fundraise for their local NHS charities. Here at EEAST, it also feels like a great opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of spending time with others and taking those all-important breaks if you need them.
Our welfare wagons will be out on the road next week to support crews in the local community, and I would encourage you all, wherever you’re based, to take a few minutes to make a drink and have a chat with a teammate, colleague or maybe someone from your area that you don’t know that well. I know that often a break can seem pretty elusive when things are busy, but we will be asking all managers to support their teams to do this so please take the opportunity for a little bit of time out if you can. This Friday is also the 16th birthday of the formation of EEAST as we know it, so that’s an added reason for a celebratory cuppa.
'An Inclusive Menopause Conversation at Work'
Registration for the next of our Learning Circle sessions for managers will open in the next few days. The discussion group will focus on what steps can be taken to make managing the menopause easier at work. The menopause is still, for many, a taboo subject but there is much that we can do as managers to have open conversations about it and make reasonable adjustments which can have a significant impact on the lives of those women experiencing it.
The Learning Circles are a new concept which give managers a safe space to have frank discussions about practical ways to tackle some of the more difficult issues they may face. It is open to managers with all levels of experience and is a valuable way to share experiences and learn from colleagues. More information about the Menopause session is available here.
Checking the Pulse
Our regular NHS Quarterly Pulse Survey is out next week, and this is just a reminder of the importance of taking a few minutes to share your thoughts on working at the trust. The survey will be open for a few weeks and is completely anonymous. This survey gives us a clear picture of what is working, what’s not and where we need to focus our future improvements. Please keep an eye out for it, your input is crucial in creating a trust that we all want to be part of.
Local Q and As: 30 June
Local Q and As will be taking place for colleagues in HART, Mid & South Essex, Support Services and for our volunteers. You should receive an invitation to a Teams Live session at 4pm on Thursday 30th June. The Herts & West Essex session is being reorganised to accommodate Thursday’s Long Service Awards event at Wyboston. Please attend your local or departmental Q & A if you can.
Please stay safe and thank you for everything you are doing.
Hein Scheffer
Director of Strategy, Culture & Education
30th June 2022