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
Published 24th November 2022