Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 19 April 2024 at 22:27
Earlier this week I wrote to you all following the recent discussions in the media about women and girls’ safety, and I make no apology for repeating it here. Keeping our people safe from harassment, abuse and assault is our number one priority.
Seeing some of the cases being reviewed here at EEAST, too, was very upsetting but makes me even more determined to embed the changes in culture and process that we are putting in place across the Trust. I want to make my position clear on this issue. There is no place within our organisation for these behaviours. If you are suffering any kind of harassment, bullying or abuse please speak up so that we can stop it once and for all.
October is national Speak Up month. Having taken over as exec lead for Freedom to Speak Up I am really looking forward to working with the team to ensure we’re giving everybody the support they need to continue moving things forward. Speaking up if you have concerns about behaviours or attitudes you see at work is really important, but equally, so is making sure that we are listening to those who speak up, and that change occurs as a result. Over the month, we will be sharing more information around our own Freedom to Speak Up programme, with additional guidance for our managers to ensure they are well prepared and able to use the information that speaking up generates for learning and improvement.
Also, this month the Trust will be marking World Menopause Day on 18th October with an event hosted by the All Women EEEAST network, which is aimed at keeping well and offering support during this important stage in life.
Preparing for the CQC
We are making progress on our improvement journey and will have the opportunity to demonstrate this to the CQC during our next inspection, which we anticipate will be within the next few weeks. To help prepare for this, we have reinstated our popular Need to Know Now email briefings which are sent to everyone on Tuesdays, updating you on key aspects of our progress.
This week, we have also published a guide for staff on how to prepare for the CQC, which is available here. Printed version will be delivered to our hubs and stations. The guide includes key pieces of information such as, what the CQC will be looking for, what the CQC will inspect and how you can successfully navigate a CQC inspection.
Over the coming weeks, we will also be providing further briefings, workshops and Q and A sessions to ensure that everyone understands the changes that are taking place.
National NHS staff survey
Finally, the national NHS staff survey launched on Monday 4th October. Sharing your views through the survey is vital for us to gather a clear understanding of the impact that changes are having across the Trust.
As I said last week, I know that many of us may be starting to feel a little survey fatigued. But please take the time to have your say, share your experience and influence how we move forward in the future.
Thank you for all your hard work and stay safe,
Tom Abell
Chief Executive
Published 7th October 2021