Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 28 April 2024 at 18:51
This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by our CEO Tom Abell. This week Tom was joined by Hein Scheffer, Director of Strategy, Culture and Education, Emma De Carteret, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Performance, and Marika Stephenson, Director of People Services. All of today's questions were answered by Tom.
Introduction from Hein
Starts @ 00:10
Ends @ 03:19
Introduction from Marika
Starts @ 03:20
Ends @ 05:00
Introduction from Emma
Starts @ 05:09
Ends @ 09:16
Introduction from Tom
Starts @ 09:20
Ends @ 12:26
Q1 - We still see poor behaviours demonstrated and when challenged the individual raises a DaW, when will managers be empowered and protected to manage staff who demonstrate poor behaviour, when it is clear these staff need to exit the organisation; however, our processes don't allow for this. Instead, we move them to a different area on a made-up secondment.
Starts @ 12:28
Ends @ 14:01
and
Starts @ 15:02
Ends @ 15:22
Additional information from Marika - 18th Nov we are doing Ask People Services, happy to discuss this in more details. Chloe Adams can book you some time.
Q2 - In order to work for EEAST it is my understanding that PAS have to undergo rigorous checks on their training, standards, systems etc. Does this include checks on their finances? Given the history of our PAS providers going bust it seems prudent.
Starts @ 14:02
Ends @ 15:01
Q3 – Can you please explain why EEAST Urgent and Emergency Care - Clinical Strategy 2022-2025 does not once mention Advanced Paramedics in Urgent Care but instead has a majorly Critical Care centric focus. It would seem urgent care is being relegated to the role of telephone triage. If EEAST doesn’t want or value Advanced Paramedics in Urgent Care please be honest enough to say so – there are plenty of other employers who want us, especially those of us with a lot of experience and expertise. In my view, there is no place for elitism, and this has the potential to become quite divisive.
Starts @ 15:35
Ends @ 17:13
Q4 - When will the Trust make their mind up about training? I've been told so many different things during my time here at EEAST, and I’m disappointed to say that it's been a shambles, from being declined a tech course to which others have been given on under the same circumstances as me, to having to do an 18+ (Due to the trust losing the ability to teach…) apprenticeship despite others who work at the same scope as me not having to do one.. It is one rule for one and one rule for another. Can the Trust put a detailed plan in place to reform its T&E system?
Starts @ 17:14
Ends @ 18:59
Q5 - With the upcoming outcome of the strike ballot, what are the plans for the Trust to ensure patient safety is not compromised and we can respond to those most in need?
Starts @ 19:00
Ends @ 20:18
Q6 - Will nurses who belong to the RCN be able to strike as part of their industrial action without negative impact from the Trust?
Starts @ 20:19
Ends @ 21:41
Q7 - Good afternoon, re proposed congestion charge for Cambridge, discussing proposed congestion charge for Cambridge on BBC radio Cambridge and greater Cambridgeshire partnership, today it has stated that ambulance staff will be charged the congestion charge to drive to work on the Addenbrookes site, which will cost our staff £5 a day to drive into work, obviously when shifts finish at different times and late offs etc there may not be a bus to take staff home.
Could I ask a couple of questions in the current climate of shortages of staff and the recession in the U.K. & Cambridge what plans do EEAST have to support staff with the potential new charge that may come in, with the extra cost that staff cannot afford which will be £5 a day? Is EEAST in talks with the Greater Cambridgeshire partnership? Buses will only run until 1am so staff will have to use their cars so they will not be able to catch a bus home. Will EEAST subsidise these charges for staff who work out of Cambridge?
I know these questions are about the future, however it will worry a lot of staff and may stop people wanting to work at Cambridge which will have a knock-on effect with recruitment.
Starts @ 21:44
Ends @ 23:20
Q8 - Any update to rolling out the staff responder scheme? It seems to be the longest coming project, especially when we can easily activate other blue light services but can't send our own staff who wish to volunteer.
Starts @ 23:21
Ends @ 24:14
Q9 - I appreciate there is a lot of work going into handover delays, but why does the ambulance service continue to take on the responsibility of the hospital, to the detriment of our patients in the community? What will it take for the Trust to start saying no to cohorting and babysitting stable patients at the hospital? How many people have to die waiting for an ambulance? The moral injury is huge.
Starts @ 24:15
Ends @ 26:54
Q10 - Will the Trust commit to fighting for better rates of pay for their staff? I saw a PAS offering up to £68,000 for a paramedic. Our offer for a band 6 is less than £45k. Recent graduates, who we should be mainly recruiting, don't care about pensions or sickness policy but they can see a large pay gap and vote with their feet. What is the plan to tackle this gap?
Starts @ 26:56
Ends @ 28:43
Q11 - When can we start to get a backbone as a Trust, when can we start taking more risks? We’re an acute, emergency service, not something to deal with Stans chronic hip pain or Jamie-Lees burst lip filler failure. When will we start saying no to the rubbish that we go out to? Surely that would make us fit for the future.
Starts @ 28:46
Ends @ 30:30
Q12 - Why does it take so long for HR to process an HR2? When will this process be digitised?
Starts @ 30:33
Ends @ 31:00
Additional information from Marika - This is an ongoing project and will be implemented this financial year.
Q13 - Surely our core emergency response is what we should be doing all the time at REAP level 4, and higher surge levels, if this is accepted during industrial action.
Starts @ 31:03
Ends @ 31:44
Q14 - Can I recommend the Trust considers offering more choices of shifts? Down south they are extremely rigid - 6/6 or 7/7 shifts are the main. Take it or leave it. I would like to see more 10/10, 12/12, 2/2 shifts - which will then allow for staff to tend to home responsibilities (school runs etc) as well as complete full shifts. This is from your bank staff/flexible workforce perspective. Thanks.
Starts @ 31:46
Ends @ 33:07
Q15 – What are the near future plans regarding the retention of staff as we are losing them hand over fist to private organizations. Reasons given are not just money but night shift working and £42 an hour OT. Why are private organizations not contracted to do night shifts? What is the Trust doing to improve retention please?
Starts @ 33:09
Ends @ 35:08
Q16 - Why can't we do something like EMAS's MFR scheme. Whack some blue lights in my car, give me a corpuls or lifepak and a grab bag and ill happily head out to those who need me in my community… seaming as I never work in my community as I’m always out of area...
Starts @ 35:09
Ends @ 35:57
Q17 - How can we prompt a review of the 999-triage process. Having "blood in catheter bag" categorised at a Cat 1 seems silly and has made several crews hours late off as they cannot refuse a Cat 1 call. The current system does not work.
Starts @ 35:59
Ends @ 36:57
Q18 - Can I just congratulate the Trust on the use of an external agency to recruit the HALOs. Historically there has been either allegations of or actual deep-seated nepotism in some cases. By following this policy, we can ensure that the process is completely and utterly impartial. Long may it continue.
Starts @ 37:14
Ends @ 38:06
Q19 - Remember you can provide feedback on 111 Calls via the #111Review process.
Starts @ 38:08
Ends @ 38:17
Q20 - Is there work going on with 111? we are often spending shifts solely going to 111 calls.
Starts @ 38:18
Ends @ 39:33
Q21 - When you next in the borough? I’m sure the staff would like a coffee and a catch up with you, boss.
Starts @ 39:35
Ends @ 40:13
Q22 - Not a question, but an observation... it's good to see the change in openness and frankness with Exec. colleagues answering these types of tricky (and direct) questions. From your passionate staff... thank you.
Starts @ 40:16
Ends @ 41:30
Q23 - Any update on a replacement for Evolve?
Starts @ 41:31
Ends @ 42:50
Additional information from Marika - Not sure of the exact date, ongoing project. Will feed more precise date in through Need to Know.
Q24 - If we have filled out the survey but not received the Costa voucher who should we contact? Thanks.
Starts @ 42:51
Ends @ 44:03
Q25 - What steps have the Trust taken to welcome the Manchester report and are the EPRR team being expanded to support the obligations and recommendations following this?
Starts @ 44:05
Ends @ 46:23
Additional information - Please email internalcommunications@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Q26 - How would you like to receive the feedback on incorrect/inappropriate triaging, if this message went to operational I imagine you'd be inundated with examples... surely Datix would be overwhelmed (and need investigating) causing managers an unacceptable workload? (Normal triage, not #111review).
Starts @ 46:26
Ends @ 47:28
Q27 – (Harry Holkham) The Trust are constantly advertising What 3 Words - a private company that takes part in some morally dubious practices and has many limitations and problems (as per recent news stories). Why do we keep doing this? Is the trust receiving money from them?
Starts @ 47:40
Ends @ 48:37
Close from Tom
Starts @ 48:39
Ends @ 49:44
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 14th November 2022