Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 10:01
Strengthening our leadership
We’ve spoken a lot about our improvement programme, Fit for the Future, and the fact we want to move at pace to continue our improvement journey, but we know this will not happen without strengthening the way we lead across the Trust. This was apparent in our CQC report, and the feedback you have provided in recent surveys supported this this, highlighting that we need to give significant attention and focus to the quality of leadership at all levels.
To address this we have created a new Leadership Framework, which outlines what leadership should look like in all parts of the trust, wherever the leader is based and whatever their role. This is something we've never had before and will create a structure for leadership development which will introduce core skills for all our leaders and managers and help them to develop the confidence and capabilities needed.
It will cover everything from the competencies required for various levels of managerial roles to compassionate conversations and supporting team members with their health and wellbeing. We ask a lot of our leaders, but we cannot expect them to be effective without the right tools for the job. I hope that the framework will help create the foundation of our leadership journey, to ensure that they have everything they need to do the best possible job for their teams.
Although we are in the early stages of bringing the framework to life, our Time to Lead programme is already up and running and as part of this, today (8th December) we’re holding a development session at Chelmsford Ambulance Station for LOMs and AGMs looking at what they need to lead and how we can better support them. We will be running more of these sessions around the Trust over the coming months and we will keep you updated with how things are progressing.
We cannot create a sustainable programme of improvement and change without developing the levels of expertise and skills of all our leaders. This in turn will help us to become an organisation with a culture we all want to be part of and an exceptional place to work, learn and volunteer.
Talking about improvements, I am delighted to tell you that we have had confirmation from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that we are no longer under the legally enforceable action plan agreed with them in April 2021, due to the progress we have made in tackling sexual harassment. Read more here.
I am also please to announce Health Education England confirmed last week that they are reducing our risk rating from 16 to 12, due to the good work we have done over the past year in meeting the requirements of the HEE Improvement Plan. Then plan was created following the Ofsted inspection, and the reduction in risk rating (which was originally 25) is a good indication that we are successfully embedding the good changes that have taken place over the past year.
However, we still have a long way to go, and we are committed to continuing this improvement and building a culture which is a great place to work for everyone.
Appraisals
When we’re thinking about supporting our people, it would be remiss of me not mention the appraisals process. I know that these are sometimes met with mixed feelings, but they are an opportunity to discuss your development and it’s crucial that we do them well.
I’m aware of the huge operational demands on all of us, but it is very important that everyone receives an appraisal. In order to make things slightly easier this year we have produced a shorter version of the appraisal form. Progress is being monitored on a week by week basis with managers receiving weekly reminders to complete appraisals for their team. To ensure the data we have is accurate in terms of who has completed appraisals, please ensure that all completed forms are sent to the OD email address so they can be registered.
Thank You Thursday
‘They were absolutely exceptional, professional, kind, caring and extremely competent. They put my grandma completely at ease. As a paramedic myself, it is always great to see the compassion of my colleagues. With the pressure the service is under, for them to arrive at that time of the morning with a smile, meant the world to us.’ From a thankful family member in west Norfolk
As well as saying recognising the team highlighted in this week’s Thank You Thursday I want to extend a huge thank you to Tanoh Danso and Simon Brown, from Harlow Ambulance Station, who took me on my first ride out this week. It was really humbling to see them at work and to see for myself the diplomacy and compassion that they showed to our patients.
Thank you all for your continued hard work,
Dr Hein Scheffer
Director of Strategy, Culture and Education
IMPORTANT TRUST NEWS FOR CASCADE
Strike action
You will have seen that the healthcare unions have balloted their members in response to several issues, including pay, and industrial action for ambulance trusts across the country has been announced for 21st December.
Here at EEAST the ballot did not reach the threshold for industrial action being taken for our Trust, although we understand there is the potential for the unions to conduct a reballot of members.
Although no action is planned the strength of feeling is very clear when it comes to concerns around pay and working conditions.
We are committed to working together to improve working lives here at EEAST. Thank you all for your constant dedication to provide the best care possible for the patients, despite the challenges we face.
If you have any queries regarding industrial action you can speak to your line manager, union representative, People Partners (HRBP) or email HRadvice@eastamb.nhs.uk.
New crisis line for ambulance staff
The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) has launched a 24/7 ambulance staff crisis phoneline to provide immediate and ongoing suicide and mental health care for all UK ambulance staff. This comes in response to the charity being contacted by a growing number of people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
As well as the immediate phoneline support the service also offers longer term support over five sessions once a person is safe and stable. The service is available to all ambulance staff in the UK regardless of your location, job role or length of service. The crisis phoneline is independent and confidential. Nothing you speak about will be shared with your employer, your manager, colleagues or loved ones.
To access the service, call 0300 373 0898 or to learn more visit www.theasc.org.uk/crisis.
12 Days of EEASTmas: Coming soon
Next week we begin our 12 Days of EEASTmas celebrations across the Trust. We launched it last year, as a way of saying thank you to all our staff and volunteers for all that you’ve done for our patients and each other over the past 12 months.
Keep an eye out at 9am on Monday (12th December) for the first big announcement on Need to Know. There will be a lot of surprises, messages and plenty of prizes to get you in the festive mood.
Disability History Month continues
We’re coming to the end of Disability History Monday (16th Nov-16th Dec) and hopefully you will have found time to read some of the information we’ve been sharing on NTK. The next Disability Support Network meeting is on Tuesday 13th December at the earlier time of 6:30pm – 8.30pm and is open to everyone across EEAST. You can find more details here.
Published 8th December 2022