Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 06 May 2024 at 20:15
This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by CEO Tom Abell.
Introduction from Tom
Starts @ 00:09
Ends @ 07:17
Questions
Q1 - When someone calls for an Ambulance from a home address they are asked if they have a dog, and if so they are asked to put it in another room before the crew arrives. Why can’t they also be asked to ensure that if anyone in the property smokes, that they refrain from doing so while waiting for the crew to arrive and once the crew are on scene. Surely the Trust have a duty to protect all staff from the effects of breathing in second hand tobacco smoke, in particular staff with respiratory problems such as asthma.
Starts @ 07:20
Ends @ 08:00
Additional information from Chris Martin - I agree about duty of care etc but the scripts regards what to do isn’t within our control and is determined by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch that provide our triage system, but its something we can feedback and ask to be considered as it is a good point.
Q2 - On May 20th 2022 the Trust published this on NTK: EEAST's current Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV), the Skoda Scout, is no longer available to us and the Trust is seeking feedback from staff on the current generation of RRVs for when it replaces them in the near future.
Feedback was requested by June 6th and the article stated results will be shared with senior operational colleagues, UNISON partners and published on Need to Know for all staff to consider.
Since then, there has been nothing forthcoming and I would like to know what progress has been made with regards to the RRV replacement programme and when we can expect said feedback to be published?
Starts @ 08:02
Ends @ 09:29
Q3 - Some months ago, our CEO mentioned a county-based model ambulance service - what did this ever look like, or was the suggestion only to appease MPs who were concerned about delays?
Starts @ 09:31
Ends @ 11:27
Q4 - Have you locked yourself in the storeroom this week’s meeting!?!? I like your ingenuity.
Starts @ 11:29
Ends @ 11:48
Q5 - When are we getting tech courses back? There is so much miss-information going around at the moment about them coming or going… might as well continue my career with a private company. Can we get a definitive answer from someone this week? The trust is starting to play with people’s careers and lives by holding staff back from following their goals…
Starts @ 11:49
Ends @ 13:04
Additional information from ChrisMcGregor - There are two further apprentice EMT programmes planned for September and February which band 3 staff can apply for when advertised. Following this it is our aim to implement new progression pathways for band 3 staff from Q4 onwards.
Q6 - What are the Trust's long-term goals? Why do we work towards something which will put the Trust at the top of the rankings of services in the UK? West Midlands is not only a foundation Trust but a University Trust as well, why can't EEAST become a Foundation Trust or a University Foundation Trust, or even better, East of England Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust? How amazing would it be to pioneer the way that Trusts work?
Starts @ 13:06
Ends @ 15:24
Q7 - Why are Student Paramedics who were on the original SAP pathway now being told that the qualification we done with the Trust does not get us enough credits. Surely this is unfair to the colleagues who went through the entire selection process and are told once they have submitted their documents, they are not allowed on the course at this moment…
Starts @ 15:25
Ends @ 16:27
Q8 - If we have an idea for a new Trust policy, who would be the best team to contact about this please?
Starts @ 16:29
Ends @ 17:13
Q9 - Why are frontline staff strongly encouraged to undertake mandatory online training in their own time? There is a legal obligation for businesses to pay their workforce for mandatory training which many new or young members of staff are unaware of, and are being taken advantage of.
Starts @ 17:14
Ends @ 18:49
Q10 – The Trust is trying to look at culture however it doesn't look at common sayings when people move from other trusts, for example in Somerset common saying like "Darling" and "alright my lover" is a disciplinary thing where staff have almost been fired! How is that fair?
Starts @ 18:51
Ends @ 20:42
Q11 - Why are crews being disturbed for C2 calls during their 15min part of the meal break, especially for calls that have been on the stack for a while, recently whilst on a night shift we even offered to do another job before our break this was declined, only for us to get a C2 bang on 30 minute break point for a job which had been held for a couple of hours.
Starts @ 20:44
Ends @ 22:00
Q12 - With the new operational performance improvement plan (OPIP) there is a push for staff to spend less time on scene... what is this metric based on, and would the Trust prefer shorter on scene times where care provided is at a detriment? Are we just pushing staff to make inappropriate clinical decisions to make times on scene look better? Can we add execs to any serious incident investigation for them to take responsibility where a clinician cites 'pressure to clear on scene' as a root cause for any error?
Starts @ 22:01
Ends @ 25:07
Q13 - With crews ever increasingly being delayed at hospital for long periods, why is it the supply of stock for the welfare vans at hospitals is being ceased at the end of the month?
Starts @ 25:09
Ends @ 26:04
Q14 – With regards to RRVs replacement, two options were trialled by operational staff (BMW330e and Volvo V60) was that the Trust would consider moving to BMW330e response vehicles with the v60 being too small. It has been made public since that BMW have withdrawn from the blue light market. There is a paper going through to OSDG to discuss other options.
Starts @ 26:05
Ends @ 26:39
Q15 - Can you give an update on the situation with uniform? The new supplier has not been able to allow ordering since taking over at the end of last year.
Starts @ 26:41
Ends @ 27:32
Additional information - The new supplier is being updated with the names of the people that order in our Trust. This is taking longer than hoped but is work on going. Please escalate concerns to the OCE if you need to. Thank you.
Q16 - Will the Trust bring electric charging points to stations for members of staff to use for own cars like Stevenage?
Starts @ 27:33
Ends @ 28:28
Additional information - We are trailing a system currently which will be shared wider. The infrastructure will then be established for staff to charge their own vehicles. So the project has started.
Q17 - Why have PTS crews lost their Airwave Radios. First we knew of this was when we booked on. Why no communications and how does this impact the lone worker policy?
Starts @ 28:29
Ends @ 29:41
Q18 - I believe the contract for PTS has been extended for a further 12 months (March 2024?) and to be in a good position to secure a permanent contract I have been advised that we are to prove we are better than our competitors. My question is threefold - in this instance what is the definition of better? Is there a SMART target in place to be shared so that we all know what we are aiming for, and who exactly are we having to prove ourselves to? Would this be the CCG?
Starts @ 29:43
Ends @ 32:13
Q19 - Can staff claim end of shift duties 15 minutes to de kit the ambulance, put drugs away, bins etc there has been no update in Need to Know or from Unison as this was going to be looked at, there seems inconsistent rules around this and staff doing work at the end of their shift. Could we have an update on Need to Know around housekeeping end of shift duties, if there was a clear policy developed there would be no misunderstanding across the Trust then. Thanks.
Starts @ 32:15
Ends @ 33:00
Q20 - In a Need to Know a long time ago there was a commitment to provide all staff College of Paramedics membership… this seems to have been forgotten… is it still happening??
Starts @ 33:09
Ends @ 33:45
Q21 - I must admit Tom, despite all the things that people say, all the turmoil which the Trust has had, you still seem to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You should be proud of what you and your team have achieved so far, and I hope that you hold on tight and continue to push this trust towards the best it can be. Thank you.
Starts @ 33:48
Ends @ 35:26
Q22 - Why are there no opportunities for technicians? I have been a tech for almost 20 years and I’m very happy and confident in my role, I have three A level qualifications and ten GCSEs but because I don’t have Paramedic on my epaulettes I’m unable to clear ambulances from hospital after 15 minutes....not exactly a challenging role??
Starts @ 35:27
Ends @ 36:35
Q23 - As a trust we use paramedics for everything, but as evidenced from other Trusts, private companies etc, lower clinical grades are great at performing other duties such as training, HALO duties etc. Why don’t we use ECAs, EMTs etc in training, HALO support rolls etc. I learnt more from an ECA when training as an ECA than I did from the paramedics that I worked with.
Starts @ 36:38
Ends @ 37:05
Q24 - A lot of questions appear to be answered on here by saying we are looking into this issue, then no answer is forthcoming… it seems to be forgotten.
Starts @ 37:09
Ends @ 38:26
Additional information - We raise the ongoing concerns with the relevant teams and publish updates with the videos. Thank you.
Q25 - Is there a delivery date for the new ambulances yet?
Starts @ 38:30
Ends @ 39:18
Additional information from David Sexby - 5x WAS Ford 3.5t - Feb 24, 10x WAS MAN/TGE 3.5t March 24, 5x VCS MAN/TGE 3.5t OCt-Nov 23, 3x Electric Ford 3.5 by April 24.
Q26 - Who is at the top of the table? NHS 111 or ambulance service? Can we do more to work together rather than against each other? Invite them to visit and listen to our calls and send some of ours from AOC to observe there processes. They need to be updated each shift of our realistic delays. As an AOC member they seem to set us up to seem as the problem within the NHS. It's not helpful when they tell patients we are on the way! When we have 18hr delays. 90% of people say, if only they had said they would have made their own way… so embarrassing and poor teamwork.
Starts @ 39:28
Ends @ 42:27
Q27 - In regard to the SAP question at 16:10 about university credits. The same is happening with S/EMTS with the old IHCD qualification, after being told I never needed to attend a bridging course due to passing the UEA bridging course previously I applied for the Apprentice Para pathway, I was successful in the application and was given a conditional offer of employment and start date for UoC only to be told a few weeks from the start date “sorry you can’t attend now as UoC moved the goalposts, we will try to work it out”. Yet my student who I mentored and is now an AAP is fine to apply, feels like a kick in the teeth for those that have years of service.
Starts @ 42:28
Ends @ 43:53
Q28 - Where is Marcus? Marcus who? All gone a bit quiet.... any update?
Starts @ 43:54
Ends @ 44:35
Q29 - Why can’t we complete a SPOC referral online? Why do we have to go through the SPOC team?
Starts @ 44:37
Ends @ 45:14
Additional information from Phil Elvidge - This is certainly the plan and something that the Siren application is capable of. We are continuing to increase the functionality of the product and deliver items that are part of our contract with the supplier of which referral integration is one of those items. We are currently testing the next release which will move our Role forms from paper to digital. Once that has been released referral integration is my next big ticket item to look at and I am hopeful that at least some of the referrals such as falls will be able to be made via siren before the end of this year.
Q30 - Rather than shorter on scene times how about enforcing crews being released by the hospitals? This will keep patients safe in the community. NHSE were clear in the document that cohorting is a hospital issue and the longer EEAST refuse to grow a backbone the longer we will queue whilst the hospitals refuse to sort there staffing and wider departments out.
Starts @ 45:16
Ends @ 46:35
Q31 - Can we please have a paperwork code added to the OOS options? With the pressure to reduce on scene times the paperwork is now being completed after handover which frequently pushes crews over 15mins.
Starts @ 46:37
Ends @ 47:05
Q32 - Can we have an organisation chart of who is who with in exec team, hr team, people’s services, sector head, gm, agm, local hr, eoc etc, this would be really help staff who they need to go to or escalate problems to. This would be so helpful, to see who is in our organisation.
Starts @ 47:07
Ends @ 47:40
Additional information – There is a staff directory on East 24 which contains the different roles within the organisation including contact details, which you can find here.
Q33 - Is there an update about the standard loading list and response bag layouts please?
Starts @ 47:42
Ends @ 48:19
Q34 - Tom, are you ever concerned that those who lead or manage under you do not seem to communicate with the wider teams? A lot of questions on here can be answered by those responsible for different departments/workstreams yet it sadly falls on you to respond. Surely those on nice fat salaries should step up and communicate more effectively with staff???
Starts @ 48:21
Ends @ 50:08
Q35 - Many staff are finding themselves having to buy their own boots due to the poor standard of issue boots. Given how much time we spend our feet, can the Trust support staff by contributing to buying the most appropriate footwear for them?
Starts @ 50:09
Ends @ 50:43
Additional information - Your local teams should still be able to order boots through special wear due the issues with the new supplier. Any issues please ask your manager to escalate to Stephen.Dubery@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Q36 - If safe and effective discharge on scene is a priority why are you not using people skills appropriately. I’m a paramedic prescriber working in primary care, but the Trust seems unwilling to move me from an NQP contract. Given the tools I could see and discharge far more patients in a safe and effective manner.
Starts @ 50:46
Ends @ 51:55
Q37 - Why is cohorting an EEAST issue? Surely this should be solely run by the hospital without any input from us.
Starts @ 51:57
Ends @ 53:14
Q38 - Cost of living is increasing, how many % of pay raise we might get this year? Will it be 10.4%?
Starts @ 53:16
Ends @ 54:55
Additional information – Unison NHS pay offer guide.
Q39 - Rapid release process when there is no HALO available has led the acute hospital attempting to release crews without regard to crew welfare, i.e. finishing time and location… can this cease where no LOM or HALO input has been sought?
Starts @ 54:58
Ends @ 55:34
Q40 - There is an increasing number of West/South Herts crews being sent to Essex. Especially on a night shift >200 miles is not safe. When will this stop? It is a huge contributor to people feeling they want to hand their notice in.
Starts @ 55:36
Ends @ 57:00
Q41 - When the AAP course came out existing IHCD EMTs asked to be upskilled to the same level, i.e. a level 4 qualification. We were told we didn’t need to, but now to get on the apprentice paramedic course IHCD techs now have to complete a bridging course to take us up to level 4 qualification (unless we have a previous level 4 qualification). This is a 6-month course which we are having to complete in our own time apart from a one off 11.5 hr shift abstraction near the end of the course. As IHCD EMTs we had to complete a comprehensive portfolio and with this bridging course we have to have evidence of things like how to wash are hands, how to change a battery on the radios. It’s insulting and is hardly encouraging anyone to complete it.
Starts @ 57:02
Ends @ 58:05
Q42 – Hi Tom, can I ask for a cheeky plug of the National LGBT+ staff questionnaire? It's very short and the results will form part of a presentation at the national conference in June. Contact LGBT network for any more information, survey link .
Starts @ 58:07
Ends @ 58:25
Q43 - Why are all the ‘extra’ roles for EOC focused on Essex? When there is the infrastructure to facilitate them in other EOCs?
Starts @ 58:28
Ends @ 58:55
Q44 - I have nominated a colleague for a Greatix twice in 2022, I have chased this nomination as they still haven't received it. I really think that recognition for this staff member is well deserved!
Starts @ 58:58
Ends @ 59:26
Close from Tom
Starts @ 59:27
Ends @ 59:41
You can catch up on previous We Are EEAST Briefings on our Archive page. You can also catch up on Local Manager's Briefings here.
Published 27th March 2023