Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 13:37
This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by Tom Abell, CEO. This week Tom was joined by our Medical Director, Dr Simon Walsh.
Introduction from Tom
Starts @ 00:09
Ends @ 05:32
Questions
Q1 – Good Afternoon hope you are well. Do you have an update on making hot 2 backups from RRV’s stay in the stack as a C2 rather than be pushed to the bottom of the C2 stack.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 05:37
Ends @ 06: 18
Additional information from OCE - Hi, we have had confirmation that the work required to implement this has been listed as a priority with our CAD provider for hopeful implementation this side of Christmas. Once we have a confirmed date and more information we will share this via NTK/Internal Comms.
Q2 – For weeks now crews queuing at NNUH for hours, sometimes an entire shift has become the normal, no meal breaks late off etc. The welfare truck would be so much appreciated, both for provisions and so crews could have a bit of a break from the inside of an ambulance, a chat with crew mates, a much-needed staff welfare resource right now.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 06:21
Ends @ 07:06
Q3 – Some EMTs have been told they are not eligible for backpay for delayed EPAs past 18 months. Please can you advise on this, thanks.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 07:09
Ends @ 08:02
Q4 - Do we know when the CQC will be in?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 08:04
Ends @ 08:45
Q5 – I find it perplexing why ambulance paramedics are reprimanded for accessing a patient's medical data before arriving at the scene. In my view, we are a unique healthcare provider and should be granted an exception from such regulations. I have engaged in extensive discussions on this matter with numerous colleagues, as well as sought the opinions of random patients. Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of individuals I consulted shared my perspective.
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 08:48
Ends @ 10:58
Q6 – Please can there be a clear policy for crew changes such as being split/moving lines so that there is a fairer way for this to be done? It is one of the most stressful concerns staff are raising, and without proper guidance on how these are implemented, many staff feel it is done unfairly. In some cases, their whole work life changes with less than one month notice.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 11:05
Ends @ 12:16
Q7 – I have chosen to remain anonymous, for fear that “outing” myself will draw attention from my management team and significantly impact on my progression within the organisation. I have lodged a formal grievance with the Trust and whilst there are clear timeframes outlined in the informal approach, the section that outlines the formal approach is less transparent. What would the Trust consider an appropriate timeframe to resolve stage 2 of the grievance policy?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 12:18
Ends @ 15:02
Q8 – It's very unsettling being in consultation. Once consultation on our jobs is complete, is there anything to protect us from going back into consultation again? Is there a duration the Trust must wait before going back into consultation?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 15:04
Ends @ 16:34
Q9 – Hi Tom, given the significant pressures and changes within operations, who authorised the full senior management team of operations to go on a jolly to the emergency services show? Should we not be prioritising all the significant changes and noise within operations instead of an outing?
Answered by Tom
Starts @16: 36
Ends @ 17:45
Q10 – ***Warning - CONSCIOUS BIAS applies ;) *** Tom can you acknowledge the amazing teamwork between a Beds police officer, EEAST North Beds staff, CFR Dave from Biggleswade, and EAAA - with the survival of a 12-year-old cardiac arrest patient which was featured on ITV News Anglia on Friday. Thanks to Mark Dwyer from comms for helping to organise. Such an emotional good news story with other media outlets wanting to feature staff about the importance of learning CPR. Proud manager here.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 17:46
Ends @ 18:55
Additional information – If you have attended a job that you think would make a good news story please email media@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Q11 – Last night Bedford had zero call handlers on duty, did you know this as clearly it’s making us feel terrible about our future.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 18:57
Ends @ 19:39
Q12 – A couple of us used our rest day to visit the Emergency Services show on Tuesday and visited the company that supplies the Ford PTS new vehicles. They said that they had not been told of any of the issues that there are with the vehicles, and they even had some meditations on the vehicle on the stand that look good and would make them more usable. We have spoken with PTS managers since coming back and have been told that Fleet are stopping any modifications to the vehicles. This is not fair to us or our patients.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 19:41
Ends @ 20:41
Q13 – Yet again this week there has been much made of the new staff the Trust have employed to help deal with the pressure we face now and through the winter. However, we still have inadequate fleet provision. Why is this and what has been done about it? Many months ago you told us a plan was in place to deal with fleet in the short term, but nothing has changed.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 20:43
Ends @ 23:10
Q14 – (Craig Borrett) Tom, some of my team are leaving as neighbouring EMAS continue to employ band 5 EMTs. Can we have a rethink? I know removing this was a huge decision, but still unsure that it was the right decision (in my very humble opinion).
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 23:13
Ends @ 24:21
Q15 – Will the wearing of shorts cease now the warmer weather is over or will this be individual choice? The quicker we get staff back to looking smart the better! We realise this was a national decision not local, but this hasn't added value to our professional image.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 24:24
Ends @ 24:58
Additional information – You can access the uniform policy here.
Q16 – Hello Tom, I don't feel confident to put my name to this but to put on your radar how from my perspective as someone who is impacted by the TTL programme that this isn't going smoothly and there is a lack of engagement. This process is leaving those impacted with a lot of questions and a lack of answers.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 25:00
Ends @ 26:35
Q17 – Would it possible for you to look into what is happening with the EOC admin role as it seems everything is up in the air, and no one is responding to us.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 26:36
Ends @ 26:56
Q18 – Planning for a lot of relief crews seems to be really all over the place at the moment with many shifts in a week going from day to night back to days all within a week’s shift makes it really hard to get into good sleep pattens. Also, the relief crews are having one weekend in four off, not much time for family life for us. Seems to have been really bad at the moment.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 26:58
Ends @ 28:07
Q19 – We are still struggling to get time to do our mandatory training. When will the Trust recognise that it is vitally important that staff are given time to complete training? Huge numbers of us are non-compliant but who wants to go sit through a 3-hour e-learning at the end of a 12-hour shift?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 28:11
Ends @ 29:22
Q20 – I submitted a freedom of information request earlier this year though I have received no response to this request. The timeframes outlined in the EEAST policy, and the Freedom of Information Act have been breached significantly. How long should I leave it before referring the case to the Information Commisioner’s Office?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 29:24
Ends @ 30:04
Q21 – Hi Tom, can you please provide an update on flu vaccines? We haven’t really heard anything about it yet.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 30:05
Ends @ 30:33
Additional information from OCE - Hi, we're expecting the flu vaccines to be delivered in mid-October; and the clinical team are working with the communications team to begin the publication of flu clinics and information.
Q22 – Hi Tom, as I understand, we have the lowest ever % of professionally registered staff since 1995. We operationally do not feel that nurses are the solution, so what else is the Trust doing to increase out Paramedic cadre?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 30:35
Ends @ 32:48
Q23 – I wonder what the Trusts rational was around moving away from the AfC periods of consultation. There are many Trusts who follow this and give a 90-day consultation period for band 8s, but the Trust have chosen a 30-day period.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 32: 50
Ends @ 33:46
Q24 – Afternoon Tom and Simon. Just a reflection... There's no question over the passion and care around what we collectively deliver as an organisation. Whilst progress IS being made, people are increasingly fatigued, and life is tricky right now. How colleagues continue to go above and beyond is amazing… Despite knowing the proverbial personal buckets are both overflowing (from pressures), and near empty (with benevolence). I simply urge colleagues to talk, share and escalate accordingly. We are only human.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 33:48
Ends @ 34:52
Q25 – Hi Tom, why do we have inconsistencies with TTL? The consultation document says seconded staff are out of scope, yet I have heard that some seconded staff have been made substantive in their post (this actually results in an up band), yet I am repeatedly told that my secondment can’t be made substantive. How can we have variances? It makes no sense and is grossly unfair.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 34:53
Ends @ 36:20
Q26 – A neighbouring trust (SCAS) changed their end of shift policy (18 months ago) to the last hour being C1 protected. Staff there are rarely off late, and as such staff morale has boosted. Would EEAST consider sharing experiences and data with SCAS and implementing that here?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 36:21
Ends @ 37:38
Q27 – What is happening regarding how the grab bags have been re organised? This has been mentioned on numerous occasions by staff who actually use the new set up. But with so many vehicles being stopped from here there any everywhere you never know what is in what bag, so months on this is still dangerous.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 37:41
Ends @ 38:08
Additional information from OCE - Hi, Melissa and Simon Chase are reviewing the feedback following this being received and we will ask an update is shared as soon as possible via Need to Know.
Q28 – Hi Tom, can you clarify what an apprentice EMT is allowed to respond to as single staffed?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 38:11
Ends @ 38:34
Additional information from OCE - Hi, the scope of practice policy states that A-EMTs (Level 3 Staff) "should not solo crew an ambulance unless it is to a category one call (to make a first response), backing up other senior resources or under normal road conditions for logistical purposes”.
Q29 – Having seen the Need to Know article on changing our response to C2 Calls, has the Trust implemented this change across our whole patch in one go, has there been any trials or testing to make sure this is safe for our patients? I appreciate other Trusts have done trials, but have we just gone all in?
Answered by Tom and Simon
Starts @ 38:26
Ends @ 42:00
Additional information from OCE - Hi, the EOC team completed a trial of C2 segmentation during July and utilized identified learning from the trial and other Trusts to support the implementation this week.
Q30 – As a band 3 ECA, some of us have a lot of previous experience in past employments within the mental health service as a band 4 AP and we can’t use these as only band 4 and above EMT for the Trust can be used for working on the MH car. Can this be more flexible as willing to use a lot of experience for the good of the patient.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 42:06
Ends @ 42:48
Additional information from OCE - Hi, unfortunately this relates to the scope of practice policy due to it stating that ECAs cannot be scheduled to resource an RRV, we will however provide this feedback to the clinical team.
Q31 – I read with interest that in the event of a major incident, EEAST will within a maximum of five minutes of the declaration, mobilise 25 ambulances (and identify a further 10). We have on a number of occasions had to travel 15-20 miles as we were the nearest DSA available, what is the practicality of meeting this commitment?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 42:50
Ends @ 44:03
Additional information from OCE - The Trust's pre-determined attendance (PDA) (and associated major incident plan and action cards) is reviewed regularly and the EOC are starting to frequently exercise these plans; including exercising the ability to obtain the full PDA required which includes a multi-disciplinary process for freeing up resources.
Q32 – Please can fleet issue a more regular update on VOR and the vehicle delivery plan? We keep hearing the same questions at this forum, you keep answering but these responses do not seem to register with colleagues?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 44:05
Ends @ 44:38
Q33 – Is there an update on who was appointed to the COO role please?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 44:39
Ends @ 44:54
Q34 – Afternoon Tom - Has any area adopted the split LOM/HALO role which will include there substantive LOMs or have all areas agreed that only newly appointed LOMs will adopt this split role?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 44:56
Ends @ 45:44
Additional information from OCE – Hi, Bedfordshire and Luton are moving away from substantive HALOs due to vacancies (5 posts out if 6). They are moving to LOMs based in EDs. Substantive LOMs will continue with their rota’s however new LOMs will move to the split role under a LOM.
Q35 – Hi Tom, so can we take it from your answer about the ongoing fleet issues; the short-term replacement ambulances were not ordered?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 45:45
Ends @ 46:08
Q36 – I have heard today that EOC support functions who are currently B7 or 8A are being uplifted to 8B - this includes a support manager. How is this possible? It isn’t consistent with the rest of the Trust who would like to uplift staff banding.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 46:10
Ends @ 46:59
Q37 – Regarding the changes to the management of Cat 2 calls being spoken to by a clinician in the EOC. How is this going to work when we do not have enough capacity to deal with the hear and treat calls most of the time which results in a send?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 47:01
Ends @ 47:54
Q38 – I work in Digital (IT) and we went through a six-month consultation period last year to change all of our job titles and pay bands. My colleagues and I are now being asked to change our job titles again but this time no consultation or HR involvement. A few of us feel this is unreasonable change for the sake of change. What would your advice be please? Thank you.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 47:57
Ends @ 48:33
Q39 – Having merged the Director of Nursing and COO role, how will you manage the underspend? Are you looking at further board appointments?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 48:35
Ends @ 49:10
Q40 – Recently joined the control room as a call handler. First time in this sort of role and first time joining your meeting. Just wanted to say really enjoying the job. Good to be part of a team.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 49:12
Ends @ 49:22
Q41 – Hello Tom, please can we ask that you spend spare some time with PTS crews working on the new vehicles to see the issues that we face daily.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 49:24
Ends @ 49:45
Q42 – On the subject of relief, in South Beds the planning has only just been completed for the w/c 16th October. This isn't in line with the policy. How can relief staff plan their life? I previously raised this at a local Q&A and was told this was because there weren't enough planners - but that isn't really OK when the Trust can't keep up to its policy promises.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 49:46
Ends @ 50:39
Q43 – We are a 24/7 service... are we looking to increase workshop cover during unsocial hours to match operational demand given our VOR numbers?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 50:41
Ends @ 51:34
Q44 – Hi Tom, with TTL removing some roles and jobs, what professional development opportunities (from a leadership perspective) are actually available in the near future? It seems that any development route is for clinical roles only and we have some staff who want to progress in leadership and management roles. It seems these won't be possible now for some time with the consultation and protected roles for affected staff.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 51:35
Ends @ 52:36
Q45 – Hi Tom, do you genuinely believe the TTL is a success? We were meant to be doubling LOM teams, but this has fallen by the wayside and all we are doing is changing AGMs to 8B roles.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 52:37
Ends @ 53:26
Q46 – With staff well-being in mind what is happening with our chaplaincy service? This was a vital independent service delivering pastoral care...
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 53:29
Ends @ 54:06
Q47 – There seems to be a lot of B8 roles being put into EOC. With TTL shouldn't these be saved for those displaced by TTL?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 54:08
Ends @ 54:36
Q48 – Afternoon Tom, having checked pay it would seem the management contract back pay (flowers payment) hasn't been paid and I have received no correspondence, is there any update on this payment please, thank you.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 54:38
Ends @ 55:06
Additional information - Payments for substantive staff with management overtime contracts
Q49 – Thanks for asking re: secondments, - we have been told if on secondment we are not entitled to a 1:1 so I guess we will just lose good leaders, favouring some but not others.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 55:08
Ends @ 56:03
Q50 – I've been on secondment for nearly 4 years, does that mean I can be made permanent following what you have just said???
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 56:05
Ends @ 56:17
Q51 – Just a note to remind everyone that we have recently shared the EOC annual report across the Trust and it should be available on East24. It’s a great tool to share our EOC achievements and progress so far on our journey to improvement. Please do have a read over :)
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 56:18
Ends @ 56:36
Additional information – EOC Annual Report 2022-2023
Close from Tom
Starts @ 56:39
Ends @ 56:56
You can catch up on previous We Are EEAST Briefings on our Archive page. You can also catch up on Local Manager's Briefings here.
Published 29th Septmeber 2023