Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 05 May 2024 at 04:47
This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by Tom Abell, CEO.
Tom was joined by our new Director of Integration, Kate Vaughton.
Questions for Kate
Q1 - Data linkage capability would assist integration, and capturing NHS number at point of call would be a great start, is that still proposed please?
Q2 - As there are more and more problems to recruit and retain staff for front line services, are there any initiatives ongoing to look into other options to provide front line resources, e.g. the use of more volunteers (outside of the CFR scope) in a similar role as police specials? This seems to be working quite well in other countries (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Germany...)
Q3 - The integration piece is going to be very challenging as a regional service. There are different communities with different needs so a regional model won't always work, however some key areas do work across the board. Will your remit also include how the areas work as there are big difference between counties and legacy Trust areas.
Q4 - Kate Vaughton - what is your view on (un)intelligent conveyance? Talk of integration, it is causing a divide between EEAST, our commissioners and acutes. Is it not just a sticking plaster over a capacity issue at the acutes?
Q5 - Do you not think that the Trust operating area is too big to integrate so many ICS’s? Or are we looking at six different systems? But then in West Norfolk we cross into three different areas?
Q6 - We had a really good EIV scheme in Waveney, great for hospital avoidance, this has stopped, can this be urgently reinstated as the model is already in place... A high percentage of our calls are mental health related; can we have a rapid increase of mental health support cars?
Q7 - The move from STP to ICS was a really good opportunity to line up ICS with regional services such as ourselves. With the challenges we have had over the years with STP areas crossing county boundaries and in some cases outside of Trust areas, do you think the new model will make things easier or will the same barriers still be in place?
Q8 - Advanced practice in EEAST is virtually non-existent, most advanced paramedics are on DSA and have been told by sector head that nothing is planned to change in the near future. If we can't get it in place within EEAST how can we hope to link in with other organisations and form partnerships? We had a great opportunity when the PCN were formed but EEAST didn't manage to secure a single partnership.
Questions for Tom
Q1 - Regarding the use of non-clinical drivers. The key point is they wish to reduce double tech or para crews... I can see why and how this may help increase DSAs available, however my concern is less sharing of the load, driver fatigue, handover and off load delays at hospital can you leave the patient with the non-clinical driver etc…
Q2 - When is the next 'Flowers' payment as assume there is no fix yet on GRS?
Q3 - Given that there are multiple skilled individuals within the Trust that wish to advance into advanced practice, in particular critical care, when are we going to stop relying on external agencies i.e., our HEMS partners, and develop our own training program thus potentially improving staff retention?
Q4 - Thank you for the support with the COVID messaging there Tom.
Q5 - Can you please, please stop the ridiculous number of emails from 'operations' about region-wide road closures. They clog up my inbox and are really not needed.
Q6 - What's the reason for the extreme delays this month? We can't surely still be using covid as a reason, when we are far worse now than a year ago. We have been on surge white for days and the Call Handlers have been giving between two and four hour delays on C2 calls. One of the least paid job roles in AOC and we have to justify to the public what's going on and take the abuse.
Q7 - What is happening about improving security in the AOCs? And when is it going to be addressed?
Q8 - Do we really have Transformation Now in the Trust again??? Didn't like their tactics before and raised the issue before but again, we continue to pay this firm! Thought we didn't want a bullying culture?!?!?!
Q9 - I'm one of nearly 300 staff across the Trust who is currently absent from work as a result of testing positive for COVID. Do the Call Handlers ask patients and relatives to put on a face mask before the ambulance arrives if they are able to wear one? If not, why not? I've noticed that since the Government restrictions on wearing face masks have been relaxed, not many patients, relatives and friends are wearing them now. I know that we have the opportunity to ask them to put one on when we arrive at scene, but if they were already wearing one before our arrival, that would be beneficial to staff.
Q10 - Can someone please look at cross border working? It is unsafe, not efficient and creating so many late finishes. Can you please commission a review?
Q11 - Apologies if this has been covered in previous sessions, why is the demand increasing?
Q12 - There appears to be huge deviation with staff across the business - we have degree required roles at Band 4 and yet Band 5 roles as school leavers recruited - can this be reviewed?
Q13 - Maybe the seniors should get out on roadshows and talk to staff.
Q14 - Sorry to raise this again but as a LOM you have chosen again to ignore us with the incentive. I feel totally undervalued because of this, I am expected to fill gaps as a clinician move to EOC to complete discharges as well as attend and lead every cardiac arrest, but it appears none of this is valued by the organisation enough to offer me the same opportunity to have the incentive.
Q15 - Why do RRV shifts not qualify for incentive payments when at times clinicians can see eight patients, and are still giving up a day off to do overtime and support the Trust?
Q16 - Is CallEAST part of the future strategy? How do we grow the service to make this a worthwhile use of core resources? The service must make a profit for the Trust, but does this create an economic value proposition?
Q17 - What is the leadership day on 23rd March? Is there a restructure due as that is generally the only time senior managers are called to such an event?
Q18 - Can you offer an incentive to work with a non-clinical driver to reflect the increase work and/or stress?
Q19 - Have we asked the company ORH for a refund from the fee we paid them for BBR, they sold us a dummy and a lie when they said that BBR would solve our problems of not having the right source in the right place at the right time. They simulated all scenarios and said that it would work.
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 21st March 2022