Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 25 April 2024 at 15:41
Deputy Chief Executive
I am pleased to announce that Kate Vaughton has been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer following an expression of interest process with the existing Executive Team. Kate will be undertaking the deputy role whilst maintaining her current responsibilities as Director of Integration and will cover for me when I am on leave.
Kate is working with our system leaders to improve our collaborative workstreams and improve the care we can provide to patients along with leading our Patient Transport and Volunteer teams.
Marcus Bailey, Chief Operating Officer
Marcus, our Chief Operating Officer, will be taking an extended period of leave from next week to recharge and recover from what has been an exceptional time for our service. He will be returning in October for what we know will be another busy winter.
If you would like to read the letter from Marcus explaining his decision you can do so here. We know that the pressure our service is under is extreme at the moment and if you need further support to stay well please speak with your line manager or access our health and well-being services online here.
Melissa Dowdeswell, Director of Nursing Quality and Safety, will be overseeing operations in Marcus’s absence, and I know you will all support her and Deputy Chief Operating Officers Rachael Edwards and Jon Moore to ensure that we continue to deliver and improve our service for our communities.
It’s incredibly important to make sure we look after our health and wellbeing, for anyone who may be interested in undertaking an extended period of leave please do speak with your manager, and you are able to access the policy here.
Recruitment campaign
We are launching a recruitment campaign across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk in the coming weeks as demand on our services continues to increase. We are recruiting experienced health care professionals as well as those looking for a new career, so please do let us know of any of your friends and family who may be interested in joining team EEAST.
Our new video (which has already been shared but can be accessed here) will be part of the campaign along with radio adverts and posters on buses. We will provide more updates as the campaign progresses and we start to welcome new members of the team.
Social media
There are a huge number of benefits of using social media to help us engage with and educate the public as well as sharing the great work of our teams and I am keen we share all the positive work we are doing.
However, following a couple of incidents over the last weeks I would recommend that you all take a few minutes to refresh on the social media and digital policy if you haven’t had the opportunity to do this recently.
We all have a duty to make sure we improve public trust in the ambulance service and the wider NHS, and one post can make all the difference, so please do think before posting on social media to make sure that it promotes the professional standards that we are all accountable for.
Heatwave
We have been advised of another heatwave later this week and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those that have already worked through a number of really hot shifts. I recognise the extra pressure this puts on our teams and resources and I know that you will continue to support each other to stay well and hydrated through the heat.
I know that a number of you have been asking about different uniform for the hotter months. Currently uniform is procured and provided nationally but we can ensure that your feedback is provided to the national teams.
More advice on staying cool in the heat can be found on Need to Know. We have also received guidance from the fire service to ensure that we keep safe in the heat and drought-like conditions.
Thank you for everything you are doing and please stay safe.
Tom Abell
Chief Executive
11th August 2022