Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 06 May 2024 at 21:24
This week's We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A was led by CEO Tom Abell. This week Tom was joined by Dr Simon Walsh, Medical Director.
Introduction from Tom
Starts @ 00:10
Ends @ 09:53
Introduction from Simon
Starts @ 09:55
Ends @ 14:32
Questions
Q1 - Hi Tom on the 4th of May you clearly stated that as part of time to lead staff would not be downgraded. Why are senior leaders telling managers that they may be downgraded? This is causing serious stress and anxiety.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 14:42
Ends @ 15:43
Q2 - What form of support is available for neurodiverse individuals and line managers?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 15:45
Ends @ 17:01
Additional information – EEAST also has a Disability Support Network who can provide support to staff members, you can find more information here.
Q3 - Is the trust reducing pay protection from 5 to 2 years? How can EEAST consider this when we have started a restructure? It’s like starting a game and changing the rules halfway through.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 17:03
Ends @ 17:44
Q4 - Is there any plans to roll out Penthrox to all clinical staff, especially EMTs.
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 17:45
Ends @ 19:07
Q5 - I have been told that my job is affected as part of Time to Lead but I haven’t been invited to attend a session when others clearly have. I feel very let down and do you think communication for time to lead is failing already!
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 19:12
Ends @ 19:58
Q6 – Is there an update on the Standard Load List (SLL)? The ownership and future SLL meetings?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 19:59
Ends @ 20:34
Q7 - Can the Trust explain how Apprentice Techs who qualify have to stay at band 4 when other Trusts across the UK are starting off at band 5 in training. Yet another way new Techs are being let down by the Trust. This band 4 is not a national thing. It's an EEAST thing.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 20:35
Ends @ 21:23
Q8 - Any update on the staff responder programme? It appears to have gone quiet.
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 21:25
Ends @ 23:04
Q9 - As a LGBT and Disabled staff member, the recent survey results are quite concerning to read (the last of which released today). There seems to be no part in the 3-year plan about addressing disciplinary repercussions for discrimination. The main issue I saw in the feedback was that when issues were raised by staff, they weren't addressed.
No matter what training is in place some people will simply not change their language or behaviours without there being a threat of repercussion. Is there any part of this plan that addresses accountability and disciplinary changes?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 23:10
Ends @ 25:22
Q10 - When is it expected that we will be getting the ventilators that were loaned out during early Covid back on the trucks?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 25:24
Ends @ 25:47
Q11 - I am a band 7 manager in Support Services and have recently (within the last 2 weeks) been made aware of Time to Lead. Apparently this will not cover/affect support services in any way. Can I please ask why, and why not? We are incredibly underfunded and understaffed, and this needs to change!
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 25:49
Ends @ 26:37
Q12 - Yesterday on the Time to Lead chat I asked a question about our status with fleet? I had no reply from you Tom so I thought I would ask the question today so here it is again, we won’t have a job if fleet doesn’t get sorted soon as we are always trying to get our vehicles for our staff to see the public we serve .When will our fleet be sorted which will give us LOMS more time to do our roles? As we are constantly being told it is being sorted but on the ground we have seen no improvement in fact it just seems to be getting worse. Why can’t we hire vehicles? There must be a quick fix that can be done as this has been going on for months and it is causing great stress to everyone. I feel like all we are being told is we are looking into it and this just means we are being fobbed off with political answers with no actual solutions for a long time now. Please, there must be a quick solution that can be done now? For us and the public we serve.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 26:39
Ends @ 27:42
Q13 - You mentioned the banding agreement being sorted, how can we access the details of the agreement as they have, as yet not been made public for staff?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 27:43
Ends @ 28:03
Additional information – Read the Management Overtime Contracts Need to Know article here.
Q14 - Thanks for the update Simon and just ref the PGD updates, when can we expect to see the new PGD suite for AP practice circulated for signing please?
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 28:06
Ends @ 28:40
Q15 – I see a Penthrox related question for Simon, can I ask why APUC was chosen to have these when their average patient is unlikely to need this type of analgesia. With LOMs getting more equipment to extricate safely, it would seem Penthrox would have been more accessible via the LOM team due the likelihood of them already being on scene for these incidents.
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 28:43
Ends @ 29:39
Q16 - On the topic of medical gases, what is the official line on swapping cylinders with other organisations? E.g., a community paramedic/doctor/etc. on scene requesting to swap a used oxygen cylinder with a new one from our vehicle. Seems to be inconsistent practice out there and I'd have thought this is not acceptable?
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 29:41
Ends @ 30:44
Q17 - As for the Time to Lead again we are being told that we are going back to centralised rostering and a dedicated sick line. We have done both of these in the past and neither of these worked so why are we going back and doing it again?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 30:50
Ends @ 32:11
Q18 - I have now asked the question three times around pay protection and Toms comments on the 4th of May. Why is this not being answered please? I have raised this with line managers, and they state that downgrading will happen. Why is this different to what Tom said?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 32:13
Ends @ 33:35
Q19 – Is there a plan to provide more funding into community engagement/PPI?? I have found out that they are such a small team and rely on the goodness of staff to be able to go into schools etc in their own time - which is fantastic but shouldn't be relied upon.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 33:37
Ends @ 34:24
Q20 - Is it true PHPs are getting 1:1 support from ACLs? Why aren't Paramedics getting 1:1 if so? More evidence that this will be a Nurse led organisation and run like an Acute?
Answered by Tom and Simon
Starts @ 34:27
Ends @ 35:16
Q21 – Can I please ask what is happening with revisions of the Standard Load List? I have emailed the advertised email address back in the beginning of April but have had nothing in return. Has the engagement finished?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 35:18
Ends @ 35:56
Q22 – Hi Tom, I would like to place some of Duty Managers on a Health and Safety course. Are you able to find out please if there is anything the Trust can offer as these managers are the 24/7 guardians of the site here at Bedford?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 35:57
Ends @ 36:25
Q23 - Please can the situation on downgrading be clarified please we have been told that this is part of the service delivery plan is this true?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 36:27
Ends @ 36:59
Q24 - My friend’s son would like to join the Trust through the Paramedic apprenticeship pathway but there seems to be none available in Norfolk. Is this going to change?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 37:03
Ends @ 37:45
Q25 – Cambridge station has a very large amount of Covid PPE taking up space that could be used for other reasons, I'm sure this is also replicated elsewhere - is there going to be a centralised storage facility for this? I was hoping to ask this on the Covid update meeting, but this was cancelled.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 37:47
Ends @ 38:14
Q26 - Are the Executive team planning on changing the pay protection time period please?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 38:19
Ends @ 38:54
Q27 - Is it true the Trust is looking to employ Senior Matrons to go round challenging ambulance staff over working prcatices, as they do in hospitals?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 38:55
Ends @ 40:04
Q28 - With the most recent employment tribunal finding that the Trust again wrongly dismissed an employee, with the judge making note of how poorly the investigation and processes were followed, when will the Trust look to outsource these investigations so that they can be conducted fairly and in line with the agreed policies?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 40:06
Ends @ 41:09
Q29 - Still no update on, or access for staff to see, rolling hours on GRS? When will staff have access to this as it is frequently an issue since BBR?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 41:11
Ends @ 41:39
Additional information - Visibility for management teams will be available in August and will involve a simplified monitoring report for managers to monitor individuals balance of worked and paid hours. Staff will also be given access to their rolling hours balance via GRS web so these levels can be more visible.
Q30 - What is going to happen in regard to the Non-Clinical Halo Trial. Has it been seen as a success so far as lots of the positions have been advertised as Paramedic roles?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 41:41
Ends @ 42:00
Q31 – I regularly see emails from our LOM's asking for extra help (commonly weekends) where they are stretched for putting out vehicles - but as the shifts are fixed 12 hours (6-18 or 18-06) they politely refuse any help for part shifts. Is it not better to have a full crew out for three quarters of a shift rather than no vehicle going out at all? Is there guidance that can be issued?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 42:01
Ends @ 42:52
Q32 - I’ve had to purchase my own trousers for work due to lack of uniform being provided, I have been requesting trousers for the last 8 months and now have no decent pairs. Can I claim this back on expenses as it’s cost £150. Also, what are we doing to address the uniform issues?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 42:54
Ends @ 43:35
Q33 - Why has the Trust introduced numerous new roles into the organisation recently over the last few months knowing that the Time to Lead restructure was coming with the potential to displace staff?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 43:37
Ends @ 44:28
Q34 - Is time to admit BBR doesn’t actually reflect the amount of work that is out there, especially the number of DSAs deployed overnight?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 44:30
Ends @ 45:17
Q35 - What is the challenge with issuing Penthrox to all LOMs/staff? I believe St John Ambulance have rolled Penthrox out to all volunteers and staff (including first aiders) in favour of Entonox!!!
Answered by Simon
Starts @ 45:20
Ends @ 46:16
Q36 - I have been told that as a HALO I do not directly line manage staff, I do not qualify for a manager’s profile on Evolve thereby limiting my access to development training. Can this please be changed so that I have equal access?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 46:23
Ends @ 46:56
Q37 - TTL - we have moved from 'consultation' to 'pre-consultation' - why the change in language? Are you willing to admit that the handling of TTL to date has been less than desirable, now having to effectively start again? Did the Exec underestimate the feelings and drive of the senior managers across the organisation?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 46:57
Ends @ 47:55
Q38 - Can the Trust please protect crews last hour? Sending a crew on a C2 5 mins before their last hour isn't acceptable. It could often take this to get to the job. Then deal with patient and if they need hospital crews are going to be off late. Example. 2.5hrs off late last week 2 nights in a row.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 47:58
Ends @ 48:43
Q39 – Sorry, why is a structure being circulated within Ops please? The messaging around this structure is that it’s the final version. We have also seen JD’s and re-banding! Please can we stop this miscommunication.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 48:45
Ends @ 49:35
Q40 - What are you doing to address the uniform supply issues and poor sizing? Staff are now having to buy their own trousers due to orders not being fulfilled for over six months, are these staff able to claim back the money for uniform they have had to purchase themselves?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 49:37
Ends @ 50:17
Q41 - What has been the results of the Non-Clinical Halo Trial? Has it been a success or failure. Lots of the posts have re-advertised for Paramedic's only.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 50:19
Ends @ 50:28
Q42 - Thanks for everything you do for us and giving us the opportunity to ask questions - we haven't had this with any previous CEO.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 50:29
Ends @ 50:35
Q43 - Is it possible to ring fence one of the Executive Q&A’s where we only talk about how we can improve services to patients rather than focusing only on us. It would be a refreshing change.
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 50:38
Ends @ 50:59
Q44 - Would changes to the Change Management Policy take place before or after Time to Lead?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 51:01
Ends @ 51:15
Q45 - Can I ask how long should take for a Dignity at Work to be investigated? Been waiting seven months since submission and no updates?
Answered by Tom
Starts @ 51:18
Ends @ 51:48
Close from Tom
Starts @ 51:51
Ends @ 52:29
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 2nd June 2023