Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 03 May 2024 at 18:55
Thank you to everyone who has taken up the offer of a COVID vaccination along with all those colleagues who have offered support to them.
This week, the Secretary of State announced that the recent legislation around COVID vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) is now being reconsidered and has launched a consultation on changing this requirement. As a result, we have paused further action around VCOD until we receive further clarification, we will be updating those of you who are affected, and your line managers over the coming days and weeks.
Annual leave policy update
Following feedback from many of you about annual leave over the Christmas and New Year period we agreed to review the Trust’s Annual Leave Policy and we have now completed this review and have made a number of changes, working in partnership with union colleagues and looking at best practice examples we already have in place in some teams across the Trust.
In summary, for those teams who have a process in place will continue to use it. However, where teams have been using a ‘First come, first served’ system, we are asking those teams to replace this with a fairer system so that our colleagues aren’t expected to work throughout the Christmas and New Year period every year, and we are suggesting two possible models that can be used so that teams have flexibility to choose the model that works best for them. More information will be available soon on Need to Know.
We have also re-introduced our annual leave buy back policy on a permanent and ongoing basis. Further information is available here.
We’re listening
On 1 February, a new survey on bullying and harassment was launched to everyone who works for EEAST, including volunteers, students and trainees. This survey is required of us by the Equalities & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - but more importantly we want to understand what’s happening and to give you as many options as possible to speak up. We know this is one of several surveys we’ve asked you to complete recently, but your views are important, so please take the time to respond. You can find a link to the survey here.
Could you help others to speak up?
During February, all our staff, volunteers and students are invited to apply for one of our new Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Ambassador roles. As a volunteer Ambassador you will work with the FTSU team and promote speaking up at a local level, signposting colleagues to the right support and escalating more complex concerns. Introducing these roles will really benefit the work we are carrying out across the Trust to develop a more open and honest culture for us all. More details and information on how to apply are available on Need to Know.
Keep up to date on latest COVID precautions
We are holding a webinar to keep you updated with the latest information on COVID precautions and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. The ‘Current COVID measures for healthcare staff in a changing environment ‘ webinar will take place on Friday 4 February from 10.00am – 11.00am. Please click here to access the event.
CQC webinars
Ahead of the CQC visit, we are holding a series of webinars to help answer any specific questions you may have around the CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs). The next two webinars will take place on:
EEAST leads and subject matter experts will be on hand to answer your questions and give information around improvements to date. The webinars will be recorded and made available on Need to Know, so if you can’t make them, please do catch up later.
Listen to the first Fit for the Future podcast
We are producing a monthly podcast to tell you all about the Trust’s Fit for the Future improvement project. Each episode will feature an Executive Director talking about the changes taking place and the impact for our people and patients. The podcasts will be available for you to listen to wherever and whenever you choose.
The first episode features Emma De-Carteret, our Director of Corporate Affairs and Performance talking about the Demonstrating Impact strand of the project. Listen here.
Lastly, thank you for everything you continue to do to keep our patients safe. Please look after yourselves and your colleagues.
Marcus Bailey
Chief Operating Officer
3rd February 2022