We Are EEAST Briefing - Thursday 5th October 2023

This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by Tom Abell, CEO. Tom was joined by our Director of Integration and Deputy CEO, Kate Vaughton.

Introduction from Tom

Starts @ 00:09

Ends @ 05:14

Introduction from Kate

Starts @ 05:19

Ends @ 18:02

Questions

Q1 - Can we kindly request an update regarding the progression of internal candidates on the EMT pathway. It has come to our attention that we have not received any communication from the Trust for the past 100 days (equivalent to 72 business days) regarding our progression. It has been brought to our notice that external candidates have already commenced their training course, received a £1000 bonus, and signed their contracts prior to August 1, 2023. According to the message posted on EAST24, this makes them eligible for Band 5.
It is disheartening to witness the Trust once again overlooking the hard-working employees who have diligently served this organization and have been eagerly anticipating career progression.
Kind Regards, your hard-working ECAs, ECSWs & IAPs.

and

Q2 - In July/Aug many of us were successful in our AEMT applications. Shortly after we were told that we would not be doing the apprenticeship but more of a bridging course. Since this email we have heard no more regarding our career progression, about what the courses involves, start date etc. When enquiries are made with HR we are fobbed off with ‘soon’ it has been anything but soon. How is this acceptable?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 18:13

Ends @ 19:47

Q3 - In light of the comments made towards the LGBTQ+ community by our prime minster this week, can we make a resolution to block conservative ministers from EEAST property in the run in to next election? I worry that not doing so risks the Trust unwittingly associating itself with these harmful comments which cannot be allowed to happen. I know that we normally remain impartial, but after the comments made this week, these are truly exceptional circumstances in which protected characteristics are being attacked.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 19:50

Ends @ 21:34

Q4 – Hi Tom thanks for joining the EOC QA this morning really useful engagement tool. Can I just ask (being nosey) why the COO role title changed to Chief of Clinical Ops. No reason at all.. just wondering!

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 21:52

Ends @ 22:43

Q5 - Will EEAST be joining EMAS in offering paid leave for the male menopause?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 22:45

Ends @ 23:18

Q6 - A few weeks ago, it was announced that Cambridge staff would receive a 5% pay increase for retention and double time on night shifts on selected dates. I am pleased to report that I am still visiting Cambridge and experiencing what can only be described as a derogatory reception from the staff at Cambridge station when working in this sector. Is it time to reconsider the allocation of this 5% pay increase and double time and consider sharing the funds with our hard-working team in the surrounding localities?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 23:19

Ends @ 24:35

Q7 - I'm sure you've witnessed the spectacle at Peterborough station, with water pouring in on the top floor resembling Niagara Falls, a picturesque scene from the Lake District in the garage, the drugs room emanating a smell akin to my damp socks after a shift, and the foyer ceiling collapsing three times a year. Can we please consider getting a new station?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 24:37

Ends @ 25:44

Q8 - May I inquire why the Trust has accepted NWANFT's request for a 'nicey nicey' diversion of EEAST resources from PCH to Hinch? EMAS does not have to adhere to this diversion since it is not reported to NHS England. Perhaps it's time to begin reporting these issues to NHS England so that the hospital can receive the necessary support, rather than prioritizing the bonuses of Trust executives. Why should EMAS be granted all the available beds, while individuals like poor Doris from the northern part of the sector must travel 30 miles to receive treatment for her chest infection?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 25:46

Ends @ 27:49

Q9 - Why is there a team of business continuity and resilience managers in the EOC who lack formal qualifications or experience in business continuity and resilience, when guidance and job descriptions dictate they should have this specialised expertise? Given the critical importance of qualified expertise in ensuring organisational resilience during crises, what rationale exists for staffing this advisory team with individuals who appear to lack the requisite knowledge in the field they are meant to be advising on?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 27:51

Ends @ 28:58

Q10 – Are there any plans to use the iPads for contacting these alternative pathways, for example teams calls for the UCCH as there is an increasing reliance on crews to use their own phones to phone UCRT, SDEC, UCCH. As well as GP’s, PPCI, pre alerts SPOC etc etc.

Answered by Kate

Starts @ 29:00

Ends @ 31:36

Q11 - Are we still going centralised with planning? Will this create new job roles if so, and how would it work?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 31:39

Ends @ 32:37

Q12 - What is the Trust doing about surging COVID cases? Seems to be incredibly prevalent again but IPC practices lacking particularly when in and out of A&E depts that seem to be full of it again.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 32:29

Ends @ 33:31

Additional information – You can find the latest policies around Covid-19 on East 24

Q13 – We have many younger members of staff, mainly NQP's and NQP's +6 who are let out on their own with ECA's, NCD's and students and it is getting them down to the point that they feel they need to report sick or think about leaving the Trust for less stressful jobs with more support. They have nobody experienced to bounce ideas off when on scene of difficult calls and feel alone and isolated. When are we going to give these staff more support?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 33:32

Ends @ 35:01

Q14 - Hi Tom, to follow on from this AEMT internal course question. To help with a time scale. I was told I had the position back on the 2nd June but hadn’t heard anything till 3rd august and haven’t heard anything since the email stating it’s now an AAP bridging course.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 35:03

Ends @ 35:39

Q15 - Hi Kate/Tom, it’s great to see integration and system working. It really is needed particularly in N&W. I do worry that whilst we need to grow and develop we struggle to do the basics. We still struggle to answer the phone, dispatch ambulances and then respond. What are we doing to fix the basics? We are told a lot around “transformation” and “resilience”, but these are just words particularly in EOC.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 35:42

Ends @ 38:07

Q16 - Kate, can we have CBUC available 24 hours a day, please? I've lost count of the number of times I've safely left a patient at home in a manner that best suits their needs. I don't necessarily agree with the fact that we've reached a point where the ambulance service is conducting primary and urgent care on such a large scale, given that our ambulances are labelled 'Emergency Ambulance.' Nevertheless, the service is outstanding.

Answered by Kate

Starts @ 38:10

Ends @ 40:14

Q17 - Rather disappointing to see Cambridge called out as having a bad reception - this is simply not the case. I work regularly alongside colleagues from all around our organisation and have never experienced this. I'd suggest raising specific issues with individuals with the leadership team, rather than painting all colleagues in this area with a tarnished brush. This is not an appropriate platform for raising or sharing such grievances.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 40:20

Ends @ 40:56

Q18 – Big welcome to Justin Honey-Jones Specialist Lecturer Practitioner and a thank you to him and Esther Shawe as disability lead for their support in my recently diagnosed social educational learning needs and to the trust for the work they are doing with neurodivergent learners.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 40:59

Ends @ 41:36

Q19 - Tom can we not just put a mobile phone on an ambulance? Other Trusts do this. Airwave phone calls are very expensive.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 41:38

Ends @ 42:06

Q20 - Hello, let me first apologise the negativity in this question/statement. I don't think I will be contributing to discussions on here from today despite having done on numerous previous occasions, but a lot of these 1 hour sessions have been in my own time, on top of this I read emails from work, updates on NTK, carry out online CPD, as well as working on a new project that is coming to EEAST within the way QI is delivered, but despite what has been said on here and elsewhere it is getting harder to continue to be positive about future change for the following reasons.

1, 26 ambulances outside NNUH, EEAST management turned up to look at what hospital was doing but despite crews being there hours no staff welfare plan was implemented, no sign of welfare wagons.
2, No dissemination of the End of Shift trial data to see what the effect of a protected last hour.
3, Cat 2 disturbable on nights for jobs hours old but work is being done on splitting C2 calls…
4, Lack of resources on nights.
5, Distance crews are being expected to travel regularly on nights, when I started out of area working was rare.
6, Fleet issues the Fiat ambulance program seems to have not worked the fleet looks broken already with parts taped on the damage and faults appear to be business as usual.
7, The number of times I hear that the end of shift policy has been cancelled, I even heard that one occasion AOC staff were directly told not to inform road staff, mind you road staff are rarely informed of changes in the surge levels especially when it lowers.

This is just the tip of the iceberg but don't panic the staff structure of the senior team has changed again.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 42:08

Ends @ 47:28

Q21 - Hi Tom, some months ago there was a suggestion on these Q&As around incentives to attract already qualified staff (non NQP Para and EMT) from other Trusts. But also, financial "loyalty" payment to retain experienced clinicians. With the significant learner and inexperienced workforce, are these ideas something beneficial do you think?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 47:30

Ends @ 48:23

Q22 – Hi Tom/Kate, on the Airwave radio usage - the current technology that we have is so very underused, there are functions on the radio handset that are extremely helpful, including exact GPS location and direction of travel. From my experience teaching both front line staff and commanders, there is a massive knowledge gap where staff have historically not been provided with any formal training on their use over and above how to contact EOC and the emergency button. The contact’s directory is already populated with pre-alert telephone numbers for all our acutes and more, so the ability to add more shouldn't be an issue (although I am not the expert on that, so someone else will need to advise on that). But some formal training would be beneficial for all new staff, those staff who have missed that training, and as a reminder for our existing staff.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 48:26

Ends @ 49:26

Q23 - Why are we still utilising non-clinical drivers on emergency ambulances now we are out of the national emergency that was Covid, and are back to business as usual? They are being put in shifts that would otherwise be filled by substantive clinically qualified staff. Is there a plan to phase these members of staff out to increase the care an ambulance crew can deliver and reduce the additional stress working with unqualified staff places on our clinicians?

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 49:29

Ends @ 51:06

Q24 – Airwave training materials and quick guides are being worked on as we speak - definitely something that has been lacking historically and we're keen to share knowledge around all the powerful features and benefits with colleagues. Watch this space!

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 51:24

Ends @ 51:38

Q25 - I was told yesterday that Crews are now unable to leave work early if they have not had a break during my shift. For example, if I start work at 6 am and due to finish work at 6 pm and I go to book onto break at 5:35 I would now have to stay at work forcing me to do overtime when I do not get paid for my 30-minute break, how is this forcible I have looked for the policy and I am unable to find one. Could someone point me in the direction of where this policy is please so it can be challenged.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 51:40

Ends @ 52:28

Q26 - Hi Tom, I am genuinely worried for our organisation. We have some great people working here but they will leave if things do not improve. We are told about how good things are and what is changing, integration etc. This is all fantastic, but they are not being seen by the teams delivering the service. I do think our exec team are great, they do work hard and are honestly wanting to change things, but your leaders do not share your vision. They want to build their empire and then leave, that is fine for them as they will jump to more money. What about the people calling 999? Who will be there to respond to them once everyone has been ground down and made to feel not wanted. This is managers too are feeling this. It’s really sad to see.

Answered by Tom

Starts @ 52:43

Ends @ 56:30

Close from Tom

Starts @ 56:37

Ends @ 57:25

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 10th October 2023