Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 06 May 2024 at 14:19
Moving forward
As an organisation we face the difficult challenge of delivering exceptional care for our patients whilst constantly evolving to ensure we are an organisation which meets the needs of its staff. I have now been with the Trust since February and have been so impressed by all of your hard work and dedication despite all the challenges we are facing.
Taking on the role of Deputy CEO will enable me to support Tom and the Trust in continuing our progression and achieving our ambitious plans over the next year. There are several elements of the Urgent and Emergency Care Clinical Strategy that require us to have a different type of conversation with our partners so that we work together to keep people out of hospital, collaborate with community, frailty, mental health and other services both within the newly formed Integrated Care Boards and with our regional partners. My hope is that acting as Tom’s deputy will emphasise that we are able to do this and be involved in these discussions as an equal partner with a clear vision going forward.
I will also be working to gather a clear understanding of the asks from our local MPs and will be working with them to help take our clinical model forward. There is so much good work already happening within our organisation, we now have the opportunity to make EEAST a Trust to be really proud of.
Changes to your pension contributions
We recently published details of both the NHS pay award, which will be payable in September’s payroll and will include arrears of back pay to 1 April 2022, and the change to NHS pension contributions which come into place from 1st October. The pension contributions are based on a percentage applied to pensionable pay during the year, however, as the Pay Award can change pay points, this may lead to your pensionable pay attracting a different contribution rate. The pension contributions collected in September will reflect the arrears of pension from the increased pay and the arrears of pension from the changed contribution category. You can find more details about all of this here.
Getting some Headspace
When things are busy it’s often difficult to take some time to look after yourself, but everyone across the Trust now has access to the Headspace meditation and mindfulness app and I would encourage you all to download it and give it a try. A number of our colleagues have been involved in trialling the app and we have had really positive feedback. The app is now accessible for all staff and will be available for all our volunteers from October. You can find out more, including details of how to enrol, here.
Saturday is World Suicide Prevention Day and I wanted to mention it here as I know it’s something that has touched many lives, whether you have lost a loved one or have experienced suicidal thoughts yourself. The job you do is not an easy one, and it comes with a lot of pressure. It can often be difficult to know when someone is struggling but the one thing, we can all do is listen to each other and keep sharing information about the support that is out there. Please remember, our crisis line is available for all of you 24/7 and our wellbeing hub offers many other support channels, whether you’re experiencing difficulties at home or work. Full details are available on NTK.
Share your views on FTSU
Our Freedom to Speak Up team play a crucial role in raising issues and concerns for colleagues across the Trust. Freedom to Speak Up is a nationwide initiative led by the National Guardian’s Office and they are about to conduct a review of how the service is working across NHS Ambulance Trusts. They are hosting focus groups during the week commencing 19th September which are aimed at all members of staff to find out how the service is working in each area. Details of the dates and times of the groups can be found here.
Estates pin code deactivation
A gentle reminder that the estates team have now deactivated the pin codes used to access trust buildings. All staff and volunteers now require an activated ID card to enter a Trust building. If you need your ID card activating you can find out how to do so here.
Q&A feedback: Non-clinical mask wearing paused
Due to a sustained drop and low numbers of COVID cases across the Trust, the decision has been taken to relax mask wearing requirements in non-clinical areas only. Masks will continue to be available at station entrances and the option remains to wear one if you would like to. The risk of acquiring COVID at work has not disappeared but is now a reduced risk compared to the previous few months. This will apply to all EEAST premises and non-clinical areas including vehicle cabs. There may be exceptions when local management require you to wear a mask if a particular activity highlights an increased risk, so please do so in these circumstances. Remember that this is a dynamic situation, and this precaution will be implemented, as and when necessary. Please do not perceive this as indecisiveness and understand that if we begin to see a rise in cases and greater risk to staff, patients and the workforce that this measure will likely be brought back in. Mask wearing is still required as a minimum when attending patients.
If you have concerns about COVID symptoms or believe yourself to be a close contact of a COVID case, please continue to inform your local manager and COVID team.
Thank you Thursdays
This week’s Thank You Thursday message comes from a family in North Bedfordshire, who called 999 after finding their neighbour sitting on the floor of her home, hunched over and not responding clearly.
"The ambulance crew could not have been better and are to be commended. They showed compassion and consideration to the patient".
#999Day
Finally, tomorrow (Friday 9th September) is Emergency Services Day which celebrates the almost two million people who serve in the NHS, health and social care (NI) and the emergency services. I am constantly blown away by all that you manage to do, under such unrelenting pressure so this is a thank you from me in advance of tomorrow. The work you do does not go unnoticed and it is really making a difference.
Kate Vaughton
Deputy CEO
Published 8th September 2022