Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 03 May 2024 at 02:39
This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by our Chief Executive, Tom Abell. This week Tom was joined by Marika Stephenson, Director of People Services, and Michele Murray, Terms and Conditions Manager in People Services.
Introduction from Tom
Starts @ 00:10
Ends @ 05:25
Questions
Q1 - I owe some apologies: Sorry to mother nature for the emissions I have caused driving 300 miles in one shift. Sorry to other patients in my locality who needed us, as I only got to see two patients in a 12-hour shift after driving a considerable distance out of area. Sorry to my children for not being able to say goodnight after being late off. Sorry to my local management team for the huge overtime payments claimed after working out of area. When will this stop being a typical day in the life of an ambulance person?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 05:30
Ends @ 08:16
Q2 - How do I get to be put on 'project work' like so many senior managers at present?
Answered by Tom and Marika
Starts @ 08:18
Ends @ 09:36
Q3 - To help stop vexatious dignity at work complaints going formal, if not in place, can the Trust create a decision-making tool to see if it meets a threshold? The impact on the alleged perpetrator can be more significant than that of the victim if there is truly no case to answer.
Answered by Marika
Starts @ 09:44
Ends @ 10:33
Q4 - Good afternoon, we seem to be haemorrhaging staff in my sector to private ambulance companies. Most of the PAS staff come back to work with a different uniform on and a £60k salary doing the same job. When are we going to stop using so many privates to try to retain the few experienced members of staff left?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 10:41
Ends @ 12:38
Q5 - Is EEAST going to introduce staff electric vehicle charging points for personal cars, preferably within the Hertfordshire area, and if so, when?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 12:40
Ends @ 13:52
Q6 - Can you kindly explain please why the sickness management tool kits are only available on the Trust intranet and are therefore not available to staff at home, why these tools kits do not sit within the Sickness Absence Management Policy as appendices (which best practice dictates they should), and why toolkits are not version-controlled meaning there is no way of keeping track of what changes have been made and when? I am pretty sure this is outside NHS employer’s guidance.
Answered by Tom and Marika
Starts @ 13:53
Ends @ 14:36
Q7 - Do you think it is appropriate for staff to receive letters from management via email relating to sickness absence, in some cases including erroneous information for example including Covid related sickness during the period sickness protections were in force, rather than invite staff to a face-to-face meeting first? This has annoyed a lot of staff and quite rightly so, it is a totally unacceptable way to treat people – did you as a senior management team authorise this approach?
Answered by Marika
Starts @ 14:37
Ends @ 15:29
Q8 - You stated in your recent message that all staff had received their jubilee medals – well with respect I haven’t and nor have some other staff I know.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 15:37
Ends @ 16:19
Q9 - Talking of not valuing staff, can you also explain why my invite to the 35-year award ceremony was issued four years after the award was actually due?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 16:21
Ends @ 17:14
Q10 - There has been mention of 7.5 hours added annual leave for those working on Monday, is this in addition to the 4 hours TOIL given usually to anyone working on a bank holiday or instead of?
Answered by Tom and Michele
Starts @ 17:16
Ends @ 18:54
Q11 - Why are the service advertising jobs as secondments offering perfect up skilling of staff for the future and yet the position is given to existing management employees so again blocking non paramedic employees gaining management experience?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 18:56
Ends @ 19:54
Q12 - Can there be a guarantee that existing LOM's will not have to re-apply for their job, should the trust move forward with ongoing work to modify the LOM position?
Answered by Tom and Marika
Starts @ 19:56
Ends @ 20:32
Q13 - Over the course of the weekend we are likely to help London, does this mean Hertfordshire staff being sent over the borders into London? Herts is losing staff to Essex, Herts have experienced uncovered cardiac arrests and C1 calls. I have experienced this 1st hand when on shift, especially on nights when cover is stretched as it is. Staff are being taken to other areas on an increasing frequency.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 20:34
Ends @ 22:29
Q14 - Hello, whilst I appreciate the thought that behind the cohort meal break, however I do have some issues, is it mandatory to take this break if offered whilst queuing at the hospital? If this is staff welfare why not covered at night, why different policies at different hospitals JPUH and NNUH? Is there a written policy that can be published? Would you expect the crews be allowed 30 minutes or 45 minutes break when they have handed their patient over to those cohorting?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 22:32
Ends @ 24:18
Q15 - Any news on the SAP back pay as not getting any response from anyone?
Answered by Tom, Marika and Michele
Starts @ 24:19
Ends @ 25:12
Q16 - Hi, currently I believe specialist paramedics in urgent care are paid at band 6. For those on the old unsocial hours contract this often works out as a pay cut. I feel that this is not reflective of the work being undertaken as SPs are expected to have more knowledge, take more responsibility, be familiar with more drugs and support their colleagues for essentially a pay cut. I wonder if this is being reviewed at all?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 25:13
Ends @ 26:30
Q17 - Is there any update on when there will be information given to those who received letters re: the banding agreement who still have not heard anything since the original email in June?
Answered by Tom and Marika
Starts @ 26:32
Ends @ 27:26
Q18 - A significant numbers of questions asked on here met with "we will review this", then it seems to disappear, can we have a review register, any questions answered with under review on here is listed on this register with a named person who is leading this. Please.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 27:28
Ends @ 28:39
Q19 - When applying for posts internally why is it that no feedback is available so that may be more successful in the future?
Answered by Marika
Starts @ 28:40
Ends @ 29:18
Q20 - Lots of fleet issues with long turnaround, has the Trust considered on site mechanics to hurry this up? Is there a plan to improve fleet that can be used?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 29:24
Ends @ 31:52
Q21 - Will there be a role created to support AGM? So many tasks and KPIs to achieve as well as looking after lots of staff well-being?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 31:53
Ends @ 32:49
Q22 - When will the staff responder scheme be ready to go? It all sounded like it was moving with pace but has since gone quiet. It would be great to start supporting patients under this new scheme.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 32:51
Ends @ 33:22
Q23 - Because of errors there are people who missed out on medals because the service length was wrong. I have been told there are not enough for people who have been missed.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 33:24
Ends @ 34:29
Q24 - "It's no longer jobs for the boys; all recruitment will be open and transparent." Can you please explain why a manager in TOC is handed a higher banded role which was not advertised? How can a General Manager move locality on a secondment with no recruitment process? Culture in EEAST - will it ever change?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 34:30
Ends @ 35:30
Q25 - What actions are the Trust putting in place to address many west and south herts crews frequently being sent into Essex? This has huge impact on response times to herts patients, increased driving, and significant impact on staff morale and wellbeing.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 35:31
Ends @ 36:50
Q26 - I am an apprentice EMT and joined the trust in 2020. As part of the apprenticeship the Trust agreed to allow 20% of working hours for students to complete their portfolio. This was never upheld, the reasoning given was that time was taken from initial clinical course, driver training and return weeks. These are mandatory courses separate to apprenticeship portfolio. It has now been agreed that new apprentices will get time off work to complete theirs. (I have been informed?)
This is a positive step and will be beneficial to new students. Does the Trust not think it should pay the apprentices that did not have this opportunity for the hours spent completing this in their personal time causing stress trying to balance work and personal time.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 36:52
Ends @ 37:52
Additional information from Hein Scheffer - We are working with both MediPro and University of Cumbria to address this and details will be going to the staff partnership forum soon, and once agreed details about changes will come into effect in early October.
Q27 - Are crews able to volunteer to support LAS this weekend as part of usual shift working for EEAST? I'd happily go in under mutual aid rather than a crew going in who'd prefer to stay in area locality.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 37:53
Ends @ 38:34
Q28 - For people being forced onto Section 2 with 30-day warning, is there any assistance for the month where no unsocial is paid? This is detrimental to many who cannot afford to lose 25% the same month the cost of energy is being driven up.
Answered by Tom and Michele
Starts @ 38:36
Ends @ 40:13
Additional information - Email TermsandConditions@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Q29 - There are many jobs which staff have been moved into without them being advertised and not allowing for a fair process and the opportunities. Not just senior roles but support service roles.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 40:14
Ends @ 41:42
Q30 - Can you please explain why a manager is able to recruit from within the team without advertising the role within HR?
Answered by Marika
Starts @ 41:43
Ends @ 42:55
Q31 - Can we develop an up-to-date staff directory, so we all know who is who, and what the line management structures are etc? The Microsoft 365 directory is woefully out of date in terms of job titles, working locations etc and it isn't entirely clear what roles really exist within this organisation.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 43:00
Ends @ 44:03
Q32 - What is happening with SAP’s who are on annex 5 and been given notice of move to section 2 even though they were told would keep their terms? I personally have had no reply from terms and conditions.
Answered by Tom and Michele
Starts @ 44:06
Ends @ 45:19
Q33 - Do you have a vision as to what the Tac Cell will look like and what the focus for it will be in the future?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 45:24
Ends @ 46:17
Q34 - Is it true that Advanced paramedics will be moving to a band 8a?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 46:19
Ends @ 47:23
Q35 - Will observational shifts be starting up again?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 47:24
Ends @ 47:46
Q36 - Where is the Trust getting so much money for 8A managers in education and training, HR etc.? I can't even increase admins from a band 3-4 or a band 7 to an 8a? When will support services be treated with equality to Ops?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 47:47
Ends @ 48:33
Q37 - Someone has asked if Ambulances could have hearing loops for hearing aid wearers. Is this something Fleet can look into?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 48:35
Ends @ 48:50
Additional information from Chris Wiltshire - Ref the hearing loop question on today's Q&A, great question, yes will look at feasibility and see if we can deliver on future developments for A&E and PTS.
Q38 - The EDP reported on the Trust's decision to hold this month's Board meeting in private due to the mourning period. Would it not have made sense to postpone the actual meeting rather than another negative news article?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 48:50
Ends @ 50:04
Q39 - Will the recruitment process be improved? Currently there are AEMT's that are not suited for that role and ECA'S that should be on the AEMT pathway who initially applied for the AEMT role but were unsuccessful.
Answered by Tom and Marika
Starts @ 50:06
Ends @ 51:09
Q40 - Hi Tom, would like to send you an invite to carpark B at JPUH, great place to meet/catch up with colleagues whilst waiting to unload… (ps a bit tongue in cheek) …
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 51:12
Ends @ 51:45
Q41 - Centralised planning update if there is one please?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 51:47
Ends @ 52:22
Q42 - These Q&A's are very interesting. Thank you for bringing this forward to us. I personally feel that the culture is gradually changing for the better, no quick fix.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 52:24
Ends @ 52:44
Q43 - Are there any specific social media guidelines for staff during this period of mourning? I volunteer for a large charity, and we have been asked not to post anything on social media on our charity pages (except approved communications) during this time, and not to post anything personal linked to our voluntary role during this time as a mark of respect. I wondered if the Trust had any similar guidelines (and apologies if I have missed anything).
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 52:45
Ends @ 54:17
Q44 - There have been several questions on here that the answers have been "contact...". Unfortunately, this has already been done but then there is no reply to those emails. How do people actually get answers regarding back pay and the section 2 move?
Answered by Marika and Michele
Starts @ 54:21
Ends @ 55:34
Close from Tom
Starts @ 55:39
Ends @ 57:03
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 20th Septmeber 2022