Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 03 May 2024 at 01:17
Challenging times
Last weekend we faced a highly challenging 72 hours, and that extreme pressure has been continuing into this week. The pressure on the whole organisation, and on our people, from lengthy handover delays and 999 demand meant that on Saturday we had to move our status to Major Incident Standby. Under this status we can review our resources directing all that we can towards patient care. We can also offer overtime and incentives to ensure we have all available staff on-shift and are able to cancel meetings, trainings and assessment where needed. Unfortunately, it also means whilst we are prioritising our sickest patients, we must also limit the service we are able to provide to others asking them to make their own way to hospital, and this is never an easy decision to have to take.
Before I say anything else, I want to thank everyone for your tenacity and commitment. I know some systems are more challenged than others but regardless of which area you work in, everyone pulled together. The nature of our work means we are used to operating under pressure. I know how frustrating it is, I have seen many of you who have been sat outside emergency departments waiting to handover our patients not just for hours, but for your whole shift. I have spoken to our call handlers and dispatchers who are having to explain why ambulances are not being sent or why they are very delayed. Yet you are consistently professional, caring, and we are extremely proud to have people like you working for this organisation.
The NHS continues to face high levels of demand and all the services are doing everything possible to improve patient care. At EEAST we have already put in place new hospital liaison officers, and our HALOs are helping to accelerate handovers. We continue to pre-alert hospitals when we’re attending with the sickest patients and, we are using alternative care pathways to divert non-urgent patients to other services. We know the answer to managing these pressures across the NHS is not a quick fix but taking steps like these will help us to tackle some of the demand issues at a local level.
Financial wellbeing support
We know that this winter will not be easy for many people as concerns grow about rising fuel prices and the cost-of-living increases. To support staff, NHS England has pulled together an extensive list of financial advice and support channels available to staff across the country. We have published the list of resources in full on Need to Know. If you are worried, need someone to talk to about your finances, or are looking for advice around a specific financial concern then please do not hesitate to make use of the services on offer.
Drivers wanted
Over the winter we are keen to increase the number of non-clinical drivers (NCDs) we have within the Trust to support our existing staff. During the pandemic we, along with other ambulance services, onboarded several NCDs, who were primarily working for, or retired from, other emergency services as blue light drivers. This year we are expanding the programme to invite existing non-clinical and support staff within EEAST to participate as non-blue light NCDs.
The role will be like the existing NCD roles, but you will not drive vehicles under emergency conditions (blue lights). If you are in a support service role and are interested you can find more information and a list of the key requirements here.
Freedom to Speak Up month
October is Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) month. FTSU is something we all need to know about and be part of. It is critical to ensuring that we work in an organisation which listens to its people, and acts on their concerns.
Each week of FTSU month is themed and this week is #SpeakUpforSafety. We should all feel confident speaking up about anything that gets in the way of you doing a good job, especially when it comes to patient care or your own safety. So, if you see something that could affect someone’s safety, whether they’re a patient of a colleague, or you have an idea for improving the quality of care we provide then please do speak up.
Coffee on us
The national staff survey opened this week, and for those who aren’t aware, we’re giving a £5 Costa Coffee voucher to each colleague who takes part and thank you to our EEAST charity for funding this for us. We’ve said many times how important the survey is, so I won’t labour the point, but please do take a few minutes over the next couple of weeks and share your thoughts. If you have a ‘focused’ inbox in Outlook and can’t see the email then check your ‘other’ inbox too, as I know some colleagues have received the email there.
Vaccination clinics opening soon
We will be opening the flu clinics in the coming days and will advertise where the clinics will be held via Need to Know. We will also advertise the dates and locations where you can catch our new flu vaccine bus as it travels around the region.
I am sure for most of us, having a flu jab is just part of the yearly autumn routine, but for those who are uncertain I would urge you to take up the offer of a vaccine. It is the best way to protect our patients and our loved ones from flu, which can be extremely unpleasant, and for some people an extremely serious illness.
Frontline staff can also book COVID-19 boosters via the NHS National Booking Service.
Thank you Thursdays
This week we’re sharing a thank you message from a member of CallEEAST.
Please look after yourselves and support each other.
Melissa
Melissa Dowdeswell
Director of Nursing, Safety and Quality
Published 6th October 2022