Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 07 May 2024 at 03:30
A recording of the latest We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A, led by Chief Executive Tom Abell, is now available. To view individual questions please see the time stamps below.
Introduction from Tom
00:00 - 10:23
Simon King, Head of Operations Bedfordshire & Luton
10:23 - 14:02
Questions
Q1 - Would it be possible for an organisational diagram to be produced? We are seeing more and more appointees in the higher echelons of the Trust and it is not at all clear where they fit in. In T&E, for example, there is a Deputy Director of Education & Professional DevelopmentHead of T&E, a Head of Skills Development, a Head of Clinical & Professional Development, a Head of Education & Training delivery, two Higher Education & Clinical Practice Leads and so on. If we have a query regarding a learner, it is very difficult to identify the manager responsible for the particular aspect of training concerned. And where does L&D fit in, is it a T&E function or compliance?
Starts @ 14:18
Ends @ 15:06
Q2 - Hi Tom, you recently spoke to us at Chelmsford station about the redefining of the LOM role. You informed us that you had tasked Marcus with this project and that you had a timeline in mind that meant the new role would be operational before Christmas. Has this important project now been paused due to Marcus being on an extended period of leave? If not, can you please provide an progress report on what the new and improved LOM role will look like and when it will be implemented? Thank you.
Starts @ 15:10
Ends @ 17:27
Q3 - This week a loading list was announced for the LOM vehicle and the fiat ambulance why has it taken so long?
Starts @ 17:28
Ends @ 19:16
Q4 - How many employees would the Trust approve at ant one time to have extended leave to 'recharge and recover?'
Starts @ 19:21
Ends @ 20:57
Q5 - I've heard some seconded managers to MediPro are coming to the end of their secondments - will this put learners and the Trust at further risk?
Starts @ 21:03
Ends @ 22:03
Q6 - We have seen a pattern, with the COO now on extended leave, is he actually departing the Trust...remembering that honesty is a trust value ???
Starts @ 22:04
Ends @ 22:42
Q7 - With the Trust needing to save pennies, why the huge increase in 'strategic managers' as published on NTK recently?
Starts @ 22:42
Ends @ 25.06
Q8 - Are you aware of the problems currently faced by our apprentices in getting feedback and marking completed on any work they submit. This, I am informed is due to lack of MediPro staff to complete the marking. This is leading to frustrated learners who are faced with further delays to there progression. I spoke with an AECSW who submitted their portfolio for marking 4 months ago, to be told it hasn't been looked at yet. What makes this so much more concerning is the availability by private providers to swiftly deliver AAP qualifications. The same member of staff, having been successful at an AEMT interview was told that he cannot progress any further until his apprenticeship is completed. He has also been told he will have to reapply at a future date. Why are we not holding these successful applicants in talent pools. We know how vital recruitment is, and yet we seem to be pointing apprentices a path straight to private providers.
Starts @ 25:08
Ends @ 26:34
Q9 - In Waveney we have started a really good scheme to cohort Pts to allow crews to return to Depot and have a meal break then return, currently it is 10 minutes after handover to cohort staff to get to depot, 30 minutes on break, 10 minutes to return, my question is are you aware of this good system of work and that crews are effectively stopped from having a fuller 45minutes.
Starts @ 26:37
Ends @ 28:47
Q10 - Is the Trust doing ANYTHING about any individual who submits Dignity at Work complaints more than I've had hot dinners? (I like my food).
Starts @ 28:49
Ends @ 30:41
Q11 - As well as increasing recruitment, should we also seek to understand why people leave the Trust but maintain Bank shifts going forward, e.g. is it the impact of current culture, shift length, rota design, relief working, access to annual leave, etc?
Starts @ 30:42
Ends @ 33:32
Q12 - We had a recent bereavement in our staff team, why no letter or message of condolence from the exec for the team?
Starts @ 33:46
Ends @ 34:24
Q13 - What is happening about cross border working?
Starts @ 34:34
Ends @ 36:07
Q14 - A few years ago I attended a Human Factors workshop which was brilliant. It brought together lots of different areas within the trust (HR, AOC staff, road staff, managers etc) working together to highlight problems and what was interesting is that essentially the the issues were the same but viewed through each perspective, experiences and expertise. Would it be something we can take on board again as if we are going to work cohesively as a trust we need to understand other roles and difficulties from different areas to make positive and sustainable change.
Starts @ 36:11
Ends @ 37:37
Q15 - when is the process of keeping crews within their operating areas going to be standard practice this was mentioned recently at a briefing and we are still operating out of area which is very stressful and tiring for crews and just gives AOCs a reason to use and abuse us and at times this is unfair?
Starts @ 37:38
Ends @ 39:07
Q16 - It is constantly being raised that there is very limited progression opportunities within the trust. so staff inevitably leave. So why are positions/ vacancies within the trust still going straight out to agencies and not offered to trust staff. You don't know everyone's background within the trust. You may have the perfect person for that position already in the trust.
Starts @ 39:13
Ends @ 40:34
Q17 – Private providers pay crews for their meal breaks as an incentive to log on, on time at start of shift. Could the Trust adopt something similar? For crews to get 30 mins paid meal break subject to meeting trust criteria would be welcomed.
Starts @ 40:41
Ends @ 41:14
Q18 – A large well known, stable, private Ambulance services has been headhunting in my area recently, offering ECAs/ECSWs More money than the trust, good leave / benifits and the oppitunity to gain a EMT qualification. The trust is paying us Band 3 to do the same ammount of work as an EMT, and is not giving ECAs the ability to upskill, what is the trust going to do to retain staff? You have loads and loads of people who are willing and able to put the effort in to upskill and take on more within the trust but the trust is not doing anything about it.
Starts @ 41:20
Ends @ 42:46
Q19 – Hospital delays are currently meaning that staff are often spending their whole shift there, missing breaks and still being late off, more so when we are out of area. What are the plans to support staff
Starts @ 42:49
Ends @ 44:37
Q20 – Still not enough Mercedes on the road for staff that can not drive the FIAT'S which is causing more stress for their colleague as they have to drive for the full shift, as well as this, new qualified staff who can't drive are working on DSA's which causes their colleague to drive all shift.
Starts @ 44:39
Ends @ 47:57
Q21 – Is there any update on opportunities to progress clinically as in my experience this is the main reason staff leave.
Starts @ 47:52
Ends @ 49:07
Q22 – Will there be a review of the current restrictions in place for Covid soon? I absolutely appreciate the re-introduction of the use of masks etc, and we have absolutely seen the benefits as our absence has now reduced, however compliance is waning and becoming more difficult to enforce, is it time now to revisit this?
Starts @ 49:12
Ends @ 50:12
Q23 – Can you publish the actual number of ambulances that are supposed to be on duty in the local area against the number that are actually put out … so we can see how well or not we are resourced.. ie 10 DSA 3 RRV should have,, 7 DSA 2 RRV on duty,
Starts @ 50:12
Ends @ 50:38
Q24 – There still appears to be roles being filled without being advertised...was this not meant to stop?
Starts @ 50:59
Ends @ 52:59
Close
Starts @ 53:00
Ends @ 54:04
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 19th August 2022