Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 11:55
Inside the A&E crisis: ‘We were lined up so patients wouldn’t see the bodies’
The Sunday Times previewed the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, entitled ‘Undercover Ambulance: NHS in Chaos’, that is scheduled to be broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm on Thursday, March 9. The documentary includes covert filming carried out by Daniel Waterhouse while he was working as an emergency medical technician at EEAST. Daniel joined EEAST in September 2020 and was based at Watford Ambulance Station before he left his role last week. Daniel was interviewed by Health Editor Shaun Lintern about his motivations for the covert filming for the documentary and experiences of working on the front line during a period of extreme pressure on the NHS. The covert filming took place between November and January. EEAST provided a statement to Channel 4 and The Sunday Times. The Daily Mail also picked up on The Sunday Times story.
Disturbing hidden-camera footage for a new Channel 4 documentary exposes the suffering that people have been enduring this winter
Daniel Waterhouse was also interviewed for a feature by the I Newspaper and wrote an opinion piece for the newspaper on why he worked with the production company on the documentary for Channel 4.
More than half of ambulance workers have seen patient die because of delay
The Guardian focused a story on a GMB survey that is featured in the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary. The survey found that 53% of GMB members who responded had witnessed a death that had occurred because of a delay involving an ambulance or other parts of the care system. Over three-quarters (76%) of those surveyed said that delays had an impact on patient care every day, while over half (52%) said they had spent an entire shift waiting outside an A&E to hand a patient over to hospital staff.
Critically ill patients rushed to hospital by TAXI due to crippling ambulance shortages
Following receipt of a Freedom of Information request, the Sunday Mirrorreported on 27 category 1 patients who were transported to hospital by taxi between last April and November 2022. The article included a quote from EEAST which stated that a decision to use a taxi is made only once deemed safe and appropriate by a clinician and consent gained by the patient. Sadly, that statement was placed at the bottom of the article underneath some misleading coverage which the communications team challenged with the reporter. Unison regional chair, Glenn Carrington, is quoted in the article.
Industrial action
Last Friday morning, CEO Tom Abell was interviewed at Luton Ambulance Station by BBC Look East and ITV Anglia about the industrial action which at the time was scheduled for this week. ITV Anglia used a clip of the interview on the evening news with the news announced later in the day that health unions had suspended industrial action while talks took place with the Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay.
Channel 4's Dispatches shows Watford General 'nightmare'
The Watford Observer also reported on the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary.
Southend Hospital ambulance handover until dismantled
The Essex Echo reported on the ambulance handover unit at Southend Hospital stopping being operational following the expansion of capacity in its emergency department.
Southend Hospital handover unit closed but queues persist
A follow-up story published today [Tuesday, March 7] by the Essex Echo quoted Westborough ward Labour councillor Aston Line, who criticised the closure of the ambulance handover unit, stating he believes the unit is still needed to meet demand at the hospital.
Southend A&E braced for CQC report set to be published
The Essex Echo also reported on a leaked internal memo they received about an upcoming CQC report which is said to be critical of Southend Hospital’s emergency department.
East of England Ambulance Service Trust strikes put on hold
There was widespread coverage of the announcement on Friday afternoon that health unions were putting strike action on hold while talks take place with the Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay. Among the local newspapers to report on the story were the Eastern Daily Press (EDP), Essex Echo and East Anglian Daily Times.
£1m initiative to train up new paramedics in north Essex
The Essex Echo, Clacton and Frinton Gazette, Colchester Gazette, Harwich and Manningtree Standard, Chelmsford Weekly News, Thurrock Gazette and Braintree and Witham Times picked up on a press release sent out by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) about the donation of surplus apprenticeship levy to train paramedics at EEAST.
Footage shows new unit wheeled into Peterborough City Hospital to cut ambulance handover delays
The Peterborough Telegraph showcased video footage of the installation of a new ambulance handover unit at Peterborough City Hospital.
Healthcare services for 8,500 new homes at Gilston garden town under fire from NHS
The Bishop’s Stortford Independent reported on opposition to East Hertfordshire’s biggest-ever planning application by the local NHS because of medical provision being “not acceptable”.
Tuesday 7th March 2023