Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 03 May 2024 at 22:25
The pressure across the NHS in our region is, once again, beginning to increase, with many of our system partners facing challenges. However, as we said last week we are committed to restarting training across the Trust . This is still the case, and we are looking at how we prioritise those of you who have waited longest for training.
Latest COVID guidance
This week we may see further changes to national COVID restrictions. We are currently reviewing our own COVID restrictions across the trust, for staff and patients. Until the review is complete, and we communicate any changes, please continue to follow our current guidelines, which you can find here.
Please get vaccinated
I am sure you are all aware, that by 1st April 2022, all patient-facing NHS and social care staff are required by law to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This means, if you are a member of staff or a volunteer in a patient-facing role you can only continue working if you are vaccinated or able to demonstrate that you are covered within one of the exemptions listed in the Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) regulations.
Please be aware if you are not vaccinated, you cannot undertake a frontline role from 1st April 2022. There will be limited options for redeploying people, which unfortunately, could result in a number of staff leaving the Trust.
In order to meet the 1st April deadline, if you have not yet been vaccinated you must have your first vaccine by 3rd February which is fast approaching.
We are speaking on a 1:1 basis with the small number of colleagues who have not yet been vaccinated to understand their reasons, provide further information, and discuss their options. We are also holding a series of bespoke Q and A sessions to answer questions about this important topic, including:
A webinar for the East of England region:
EEAST-only Q and A sessions:
The NHSEI national team is also running Q and A sessions (on topics such as vaccines and faith and vaccines and fertility).
In addition, from 4th February, Kay’s will be sending out a questionnaire to every patient facing member of staff to start a formal process of recording COVID vaccination evidence against medical records. The questionnaire will include an upload button where you can include your evidence i.e a copy of your NHS Covid Pass detailing vaccinations received. We will share more information about this with you over the coming days.
Listening to you
The National Quarterly Pulse Survey has been running for the last month, closing on Monday 31st January. This new national quarterly survey complements the annual staff survey in the autumn and is an opportunity for you to have your say more frequently about things that impact on you at work and highlight any difficulties you are facing. So please click here and have your say.
A new survey on bullying and harassment within the Trust will launch on 1st February. It is important for us to measure how we are tackling this issue – partly to fulfil our obligations to the EHRC – but more crucially to improve your working lives and make sure that you feel confident in speaking up. Please look out for it and share your thoughts with us. This important survey is also open to volunteers so if you are a volunteer so please make sure you complete it.
Celebrating and learning from great practice
GREATix, is our new staff recognition scheme which launches on 1st February and will replace the Hidden Gem awards. GREATix is a positive reporting system, developed as part of the ‘Learning from Excellence’ national programme, aimed at encouraging staff to learn from each other by sharing great practice.
Whilst Hidden Gems provided the opportunity for us to celebrate and thank our staff, there was no way to learn from excellence in the same way we learn from incidents. GREATix will give us the chance to thank and recognise people, feedback to nominated colleagues to show them their work is valued and take forward any best practice to benefit the Trust.
As ever, we are extremely grateful for all that you are doing to help support each other and keep our patients safe.
Tom Abell
Chief Executive
27th January 2022