Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 20 April 2024 at 08:33
On Tuesday, we shared the sad news that EEAST’s provision of learning for our level three and four apprentices will be ending. This decision by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) followed an Ofsted inspection and is deeply distressing for learners affected by this decision, and for members of our education team. This means that although we will continue to employ apprentices and provide clinical training, their education training will need to be transferred to another training organisation.
This is also hugely disappointing for the Trust as we do really value our learners. We are taking action to tackle poor behaviour and to encourage everyone to raise concerns. We are starting to see small but significant changes in our culture. Sadly, we just haven’t been able to address the issues raised quickly or robustly enough for our apprenticeships. This should be a reminder that our behaviour has an impact on an individual level, and also at a much wider level.
Our focus now is on supporting our apprentices in two main ways. We are working with Health Education England to secure alternative education providers as quickly as possible. The Trust is also providing as much support as possible to help apprenticeships through this period of uncertainty. As well as direct contact, we have a helpline up and running, online Q&A sessions in place and all the latest information on Need to Know.
We are doing everything possible to limit the disruption to those impacted, and I hope that with an improved culture in place, our apprentices will come and work for us in the future.
You will also be aware that on Monday, the Government confirmed their plans for lifting social distancing restrictions on 19 July. It was interesting to see that, given the rise in cases caused by the Delta variant, the Government struck a more cautious note than before.
The rise in cases reinforces the update we provided last week that at EEAST, and across the NHS, there will be no change to our current COVID19 protocols. These protocols are there to protect you and your patients. They also make sure we can maintain a safe service, especially with such high demand at the moment.
Thank you and stay safe.
Dr Tom Davis
Interim CEO
Published 15th July 2021