Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 02 May 2024 at 02:00
A recording of the latest We Are EEAST Briefing and Executive Q&A, led by Director of Nursing, Safety & Quality Melissa Dowdeswell and CEO Tom Abell, is now available. To view individual questions please see the time stamps below.
Introduction from Melissa
Starts @ 00:09
Ends @ 10:45
Questions for Melissa
Q1 - Melissa, what is the purpose of developing the urgent and emergency care strategy - are we able to get additional funding?
Starts @ 10:47
Ends @ 12:07
Questions for Tom
Q1 - Any further update on staff responders?
Starts @ 12:27
Ends @ 13:12
Q2 - International paramedics day. Don't forget the rest of your international staff. Shocking.
Starts @ 13:13
Ends @ 14:21
Q3 - Any update on first responders allowed to drive blue light cars if trained on blues?
Starts @ 14:22
Ends @ 14:38
Q4 - Do you feel that we offer students and apprentices the right amount of support considering they get no protected time to reflect with a mentor?
Starts @ 14:40
Ends @ 16:20
Q5 - I have to express a degree of disappointment that plans regarding a "county based" model were discussed with MPs and the Media prior to Trust staff. I know some of our region's MPs have quite loud voices and need placating on a regular basis but is it really acceptable to leave staff some way down the list of who needs to be informed? Are you able to give us a brief summary of what these changes are going to be? I really hope we are not turning this into a postcode lottery for patient care.
Starts @ 16:22
Ends @ 19:04
Q6 - Any update on SPOC referrals being done by iPad?
Starts @ 19:05
Ends @ 20:02
Q7 - Why should anyone report sexual harassment, when you do, absolutely nothing is done on it. All brushed under the carpet. Yes people are suspended but nothing happens.
Starts @ 20:03
Ends @ 21:40
Q8 - Would the Trust support their staff with lobbying parliament for a real pay rise considering the rising cost of living?
Starts @ 21:42
Ends @ 23:32
Q9 - Is it true that Tom Abell and Marcus Bailey have been called before a parliament select committee?
Starts @ 23:33
Ends @ 25:06
Q10 - Boris has resigned today, any sign of some of our board doing the right thing?
Starts @ 25:08
Ends @ 27:20
Q11 - Ambulances run extensive miles to see a patient in a neighbouring area rather than attend patients in their own locality... resulting in an inefficient service. A DSA is likely to see four patients a shift when it used to be 7-10 patients. Most time lost travelling. Please discuss.
Starts @ 27:22
Ends @ 29:24
Q12 - How does it make you feel with the number of deceased patients crews are getting to as they have been waiting hours for a response?
Starts @ 29:26
Ends @ 31:17
Q13 - On the subject of out of service monitoring, why are HALOs pushing for crews to book OOS cleaning or contaminated if needing to complete EPCR or paperwork after a job? This does not seem right in keeping with the Trust values, that we are not accurately keeping a record of why we are OOS, like OSS paperwork. Sometimes we don't have time to complete EPCR prior to A+E. Accurate recording of OOS would, I think, change focus on what needs help.
Starts @ 31:19
Ends @ 32:18
Q14 - Great to hear that staff responding is being looked at, particularly when lots of us are having to be CFRs instead of working out our skill set giving better scope and use (hopefully).
Starts @ 32:20
Ends @ 32:42
Q15 - Under the apprentice’s framework that is mandated by the government, apprentices are supposed to have six hours or twenty percent of their time to complete off the job training, I.e. the completion of portfolios. As of yet this has not happened and the Trust are deviating from national apprentice policy, what are the Trust going to do about this to support apprentices with their academic work?
Starts @ 32:44
Ends @ 35:37
Q16 – What does returning to a county-based model mean in practice - are we committed to a restructure operationally, or is it just a reporting/governance thing?
Starts @ 33:48
Ends @ 35:37
Q17 - Why have the PTS PAS been removed as we are struggling to get discharges home and this is having a knock on effect to A&E crews and the queueing at the front door?
Starts @ 35:43
Ends @ 37:01
Q18 - A trained counsellor has to have supervision every 6 weeks, why do we have nothing like that for our staff?
Starts @ 37:03
Ends @ 38:21
Q19 - AEMTs should be given time off to complete their portfolios. Having to work full time and then expected to do their portfolios isn’t fair when para students get time off to attend uni.
Starts @ 38:22
Ends @ 38:45
Q20 – With all the turmoil in Westminster over the last 24-48 hours is this likely to impact the Trust turnaround plan? Are we likely to see any major changes to the NHS in the short term especially funding?
Starts @ 38:46
Ends @ 40:43
Q21 - With the talk of a county-based model, will teams be given additional funding to recruit to additional posts so that we can provide adequate support to the counties/ICS areas?
Starts @ 40:44
Ends @ 41:35
Q22 - Is it right someone is allowed to die outside Lister hospital because there is no room inside? We should be told If hospitals resus are full and diverted elsewhere. Give people the chance to survive.
Starts @ 41:37
Ends @ 42:37
Q23 - Are you aware of the current leadership issues at Norwich AOC at the moment? The substantive SOCM hasn't been seen or heard from for a year, the Interim SOCM has returned to their substantive role. The DCOO is now planning to oversee Norwich AOC and be direct line manager for the team (how on earth she is going to do her day job is anyone's guess), and the "leadership support" being provided is somewhat concerning. If the substantive SOCM is not going to return in the near future why is another secondment not being offered? Plenty of capable staff who may be interested!
Starts @ 42:38
Ends @ 43:37
Q24 – Hi Tom, we continue to see a considerable numbers of resignations, most worryingly among brand new NQPs. We have identified for over a decade the issues that need resolving to stop the leak of staff out the back door. These are (a) to get people home on time, (b) to give people a meaningful break somewhere near the middle of their shift (c) to stop them routinely driving 200+ miles per shift, and (d) give them some meaningful protected training to ensure they are competent and confident in their roles. Are we honestly any nearer to resolving these issues please?
Starts @ 43:40
Ends @ 46:47
Q25 - Why do we only have Cultural Ambassadors on a panel for BAME staff? What about those with other protected characteristics?
Starts @ 46:49
Ends @ 48:16
Q26 - I have a GRS account with another organisation, where I can see the named crews allocated to shifts. It’s called 'Control Room Sheets'. I tend to put my name down to join a 'good egg' that I know and can learn from as well as have a good shift. Could this option be made available to all of us as that would encourage us to put in for O/T with people we have an excellent rapport with?
Starts @ 48:18
Ends @ 49:01
Q27 - With the large numbers of cases involving sexual harassment/sexually inappropriate behaviours, would it now be appropriate to recruit a team/specialist in sexual safety? That or at least align the workstream to an existing team? Aside from reporting to HR/FTSU, I cannot see a team who are leading on this workstream to improve things for the staff.
Starts @ 49:03
Ends @ 50:36
Q28 - Austrian GP coming up... Who are you hedging your bets on winning? Lewis put on a great performance last week.
Starts @ 50:37
Ends @ 50: 46
Update on clinical supervision and hospital delay incidents from Melissa
Starts @ 50:49
Ends @ 54:09
Close from Tom
Starts @ 54:13
Ends @ 55:16
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 11th July 2022