Thursday 24 November: Executive message from Emma DeCarteret, Director of Corporate Affairs and Performance

Photo of Emma DeCarteret

Disability History Month
Over the next few weeks we’ll be featuring a number of stories on Need to Know from colleagues working across EEAST who are living with a disability. The experiences are being shared as part of Disability History Month which runs from 16th November until 16th December.

As the executive sponsor of our EEAST Disability Support Network (DSN) and someone who is living with a long-term condition myself, it is really refreshing to talk to colleagues about our experiences, the challenges we have encountered over the years but also the support experienced from colleagues and friends. We need to work together to develop the confidence and faith to share more of our stories and help each other understand the different support individuals need. We have already seen a lot of work in this space, and I am hoping that the focus on disability this month will help further this area that much more.

The stories cover both visible and hidden disabilities, and I hope that sharing them will remind us all not to take anyone at face value and perhaps be that little bit kinder to those around you. After all none of us knows what someone else is going through.

This is why our EDI networks are such an important part of our organisation. Not only do they offer support and understanding, but they are also a great forum to discuss those shared experiences. Separately, they play a valuable role in championing the needs of their members within the Trust at both a strategic and local level. Together, they also provide that all-important critical eye as we’re planning for the future of EEAST, helping us to ensure that we are as inclusive and representative as possible and constantly putting that at the forefront of all that we do. 

A year in post
Next week sees me reaching the end of my first year as an Executive Director, and I’ve been reflecting on everything that has happened during that period. We have seen new people, new ways of working for many, and key achievements including transition to requires improvement in our CQC inspection, as well as delivery of the actions we committed to through the EHRC agreement. I do believe we are beginning to see several key changes – things are beginning to feel different – and this is down to everyone’s hard work and commitment in what has been a challenging but rewarding year. I’m proud to be working here and, whilst we all know we have lots more to do, I genuinely feel we are moving in the right direction.

Thank You Thursday
On Monday BBC Look East broadcast an ambulance ride-out from our Waveney Ambulance Station which has received lots of positive comments. This week’s thank you goes to Advanced Paramedic Ed Wisken and Emergency Medical Technician Anna Savage who hosted Look East’s Health Correspondent Nikki Fox for the 10-hour shift and to all the team at Waveney who helped make this happen, including Leading Operations Manager Stuart Knight who was also interviewed. You can read about the shift here.      

And finally
Good luck to EEAST crew members Grace Lemin, Harrison Galgut and Charlie Harris, along with colleagues from Magpas Air Ambulance who have been shortlisted for the 999 hero category in The Sun’s ‘Who Cares Wins’ awards which will be on Channel 4 this Sunday (27th November) at 6pm. The team are being recognised for their life-saving efforts after they brought a 13-year old girl back to life after she suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to school. It’s an amazing story which you can read in full here.

Thanks for all that you’re doing.

Emma De-Carteret
Director of Corporate Affairs and Performance

 

IMPORTANT TRUST NEWS FOR CASCADE


  • Flu jab reminder

    Our flu clinics are still open for a few more days so there’s still time to get your jab and get protected before winter arrives.

    It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective so it’s important to have it early enough that you’re covered for December-March which is peak flu season. If you have had your vaccine at your GP or a private appointment then please take a minute to complete the form and let us know. We have to offer 100% of staff the vaccine so completing the form just shows this has happened, but you’ve received it elsewhere. Likewise, if you have decided not to have it this year please complete the form, again it just shows you’ve been offered the jab but have declined.

  • Staff survey about to close

    With a couple more days to go before the National Staff Survey closes on Friday 25th November, there’s still time to complete it and claim your free Costa Coffee voucher. It’s a great opportunity to let us know how things are going within your own team and highlight where you think things could be improved. Please do make the time to send in your thoughts, remember the survey is completely anonymous and managed by an external agency so you cannot be identified from your responses. Thanks for your support with this.

  • Fit for the Future poll

    Our Fit for the Future fortnight has now drawn to a close and we are keen to know whether you found it useful. As Fit for the Future is about making life better for our patients and people it’s important that we all understand the project and the work it is covering, everything from hospital handovers, to ensuring people are paid on time and have appropriate health and wellbeing support.

    There is no question that this work takes time, but please continue to share your improvement ideas with us. We received a lot of positive feedback at last week’s Q&A session which you can watch again here. We must continue working together to drive the improvement programme forward and ensure lasting changes take place.

    You can access all the podcasts, videos and progress updates on the Fit for the Future section of East 24 and please make sure that you complete the closing poll on how much you know about Fit for the Future. 

    As a reminder, if you have any questions on Fit for the Future you can contact the executive responsible for each workstream, these are:
    Culture: Hein Scheffer
    People: Marika Stephenson
    Partnerships: Kate Vaughton
    Impact: Emma De Carteret
    Delivery: Melissa Dowdeswell

    Alternatively, you can email: fitforthefuture@eastamb.nhs.uk

  • Domestic abuse during the World Cup

    Major footballing competitions like the World Cup are often linked to an increase in incidents of domestic abuse. Research by the University of Lancaster shows violent domestic abuse incidents increase by 38% when England lose. Rates are also 26% higher when the team wins or draws.

    Whilst the match itself is not the cause of the abuse it can be the catalyst for it to increase or become more severe.

    Please remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, information and support is available by contacting:

    Safeguarding Teamsafeguarding@eastamb.nhs.uk or 01767 312573
    Women’s Aid helpline - 0808 2000 247
    MANKIND - 01823 334244.

    For patients who have care and support needs, who experience domestic abuse, referrals via SPOC should be made or to the police via 101.

Published 24th November 2022