Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 05 May 2024 at 15:05
I know that many of you will be wondering about the Government announcement earlier this week about ending legal COVID restrictions and any changes it might bring. We are still waiting to hear what this means for us here at EEAST and the NHS more widely. As soon as we have some clarity around this, we will share the information with you all. Until then, please continue to work to the existing guidance which can be found here.
This remains the case with Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) as well. The Government has paused plans to undertake a consultation on the proposals. Once we have further information on the final decision being made by the governance, we will let you know. For now, VCOD remains paused.
Recognising long service
Some of you have been asking about plans to recognise long service within the Trust. We really want to celebrate people’s long service and loyalty to the Trust and are planning a Trustwide event for June this year. That will also be the Queen’s Jubilee month and, along with the rest of the NHS, we will be sending out Platinum Jubilee Medals. The plans for the awards event and the medals are still being finalised so we will let you know further details as soon as we have them.
Harassment survey
The harassment survey we ran last year, highlighted problems within our culture and the findings resulted in several important changes across the organisation, with many people speaking up about issues they were facing.
We want to ensure this work continues, which is why we are asking you once again to share your views with us in an updated version of the initial harassment survey. If you have already completed it, thank you, and if you have not yet done so I would urge you to respond. We have extended the deadline until Monday 7 March – so please have your say. Click here to complete the survey.
Mandatory training
Having the right tools for the job is also a big part of staying safe and mandatory training is a key part of this. We have already reintroduced ECS courses for all those eligible as part of the steps we are taking to support this which will continue to run over the coming months.
For those of us who aren’t doing ECS, we are asking all staff, particularly those in corporate and support services to make sure you are up to date with all of your mandatory training by the end of March.
You can check your current compliance and any outstanding training online via Evolve, please schedule some time between now and the end of March to complete any outstanding training.
Head of Operations changes
Following proposals made by the team, a reshuffle of the heads of operations’ areas has been agreed, which will come into effect from 1st April.
These changes will give the teams an opportunity to share knowledge and offer different perspectives on how each area operates. I know that you will all join with me in wishing them well and support them in their new roles.
Break The Bias
Please join us to #BreakTheBias as we celebrate International Women’s Day, on Tuesday 8th March via a collaborative online event with colleagues from the police and fire service. The day will run from 9.30am - 4.15pm and will be hosted by Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police, the Office of Police, the Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and our own All Women in EEAST (AWE) network.
All operational and support colleagues from the three services are welcome, regardless of gender. EEAST’s Director of People Services Marika Stephenson will be featuring in one of the sessions on Gender Bias, as well as General Manager Sandra Chick sharing her experiences about resilience. Book your place here.
Samaritans support
This week, a new initiative launches in Norwich to support staff in taking care of their wellbeing. The Listening Project offers staff the chance to talk to two trained Samaritans, every Thursday between 6pm - 10pm. They will provide a listening ear for both personal and professional concerns and any member of staff based in Norwich is welcome to drop in.
As ever, I want to thank you for everything you are doing for our patients and communities every day. Please take care.
Marcus Bailey
Chief Operating Officer
24th February 2022