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Thursday 15th September 2022 - Leadership message from Tom Abell, Chief Executive

Tom Abell in front of an ambulance

A week like no other

Across the country, and indeed the world, it has been a week I’m sure many of us will never forget as we continue to mourn the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Over the past few days, the radio and TV coverage has been heavily focused on her life and all that she achieved during her 70 years on the throne. Her unwavering commitment and dedication is something we should all be thankful for and the kindness and compassion she showed to everyone she met is to be greatly admired.

I know some of you may have met members of The Royal Family, and perhaps even the Queen herself, during the time they spent at Sandringham, visiting the surrounding area or at openings and events held here in the East of England. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

Many people have been surprised with the impact this week has had on them. The outpouring of grief has been very overwhelming, so please do seek support if you feel you need it. You can access contact details for all the available resources here. 

Paying your respects

A number of you have asked whether you are allowed to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. The answer is yes, if you wish to do so, but there is guidance to follow and details are available here.

We have also made available a collection of images, including a black and white version of the Trust crest, and a greyscale Teams background for those of you who would like to use them during the mourning period. You can find them here.

State Funeral and Bank Holiday working arrangements

As you will no doubt be aware, Her Majesty’s State Funeral will take place on Monday 19th September, which has now been designated a Bank Holiday.

Normal Bank Holiday working arrangements will apply:

  • For non-operational staff (or staff where the bank holiday entitlement is not added to GRS), this will mean a non working day. 
  • For operational staff (and all other staff where the bank holiday entitlement is added to GRS) an additional 7.5 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) will be added to your personal leave year entitlement.  If you already have annual leave booked on this day you won’t need to cancel it on GRS, the additional hours can be taken at another time.  Anyone wishing to take the day off must do so via a mutually agreed shift swap authorised by your line manager.
  • Any overtime accrued on the day will be paid at normal Bank Holiday rates.

For our trainees:

  • On Monday - Medipro and all our external colleges will be closed. All learners with scheduled learning days will be able to use the time to do self directed study from home.
  • All trainees who were scheduled to work operationally as part of their training will follow the normal operational
  • All the training schools and Driver Training Unit (DTU) will be closed including Abbeygate sixth form college (Bury St Edmunds) and the DTU in Hethersett, Norwich.

Supporting our colleagues

Our colleagues at London Ambulance Service are also requesting mutual aid support on the day itself. If you wish to offer your support in this way you can do so through the normal process of volunteering in your own time.

Above all, during this period our primary focus remains on delivering the best possible care to our patients and I am confident that we will continue to do just that.

Thank you and look after yourselves,

Tom Abell
Chief Executive

 

Published 15th September 2022