Archive

News archive from December 2015
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
Contacting the CQC
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for regulating health and social care services.
31 December 2015
Bedford EOC 1
CAD markers: the new flags / warnings
Sometimes we mark extra information on our computer aided dispatch (CAD) system in relation to certain patients or addresses.
31 December 2015
Blurred ambulance
Can you banish the booze for January?
With the start of a new year, why not kick off the resolutions by giving up alcohol for Dry January?
31 December 2015
NHS computer
Datix will be offline on Monday (4th Jan)
On Monday (4th January), the information team will be making an upgrade to our Datix system.
31 December 2015
Steth and keyboard OPT
College of Paramedics 2016 conference
Following the success of its 2014 conference, the College of Paramedics is delighted to announce its 2016 national conference 'We are not alone! - Working together to provide the best possible care'.
30 December 2015
Blurred ambulance
A Christmas challenge for staff and volunteers
Ambulance bosses have praised staff and volunteers for helping thousands of 999 callers and patients this Christmas.
29 December 2015
Update from the CEO: getting back to clinical learning (28th January)
“My thoughts continue to be with our student paramedic colleague that I emailed you about earlier this month. Sadly, they suffered very serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle whilst on duty, but I’m pleased to report that they are making a really positive recovery and continuing to improve every day.”
28 December 2015
Tying surgical apron
Scarlet fever - the beginning of a new season
Early indications for 2015 to 2016 suggest we may be entering a third season of high numbers of scarlet fever infections.
28 December 2015
Yellow kit bag
Managing our controlled drugs
The safe management of the controlled drugs (CDs) we use is vital to the Trust – in the wrong hands they could cause serious harm.
27 December 2015
Merry Christmas
Chelmsford EOC in the Christmas spirit for charity
Chelmsford EOC was rocking around the Christmas tree last week as the teams’ donned the best of their festive knitwear for charity.
26 December 2015
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list - 25th December
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
25 December 2015
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
From everyone on the Need to Know team - wishing you all a very merry Christmas!
25 December 2015
Robert Morton ambulance OPT
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas: a message from Robert Morton (24th December)
As I write this, I note that it’s four months to the day since I took up my post as Chief Executive here at EEAST. Part of me wonders where the time has gone, with the other part feeling like I must have been here for longer.
24 December 2015
Blurred ambulance
Are you reviewing your patient care records?
Completing a patient care record (PCR) is part of the day-to-day working for many of us.
24 December 2015
Facebook like button
What a difference a day makes: #24HoursInEoE
To coincide with Black Friday, last week we held our first ever 24-hour ‘twitterthon’ – where we tweeted live from all our EOCs and an ambulance for 24 hours.
24 December 2015
Bedford EOC 1
Taking a look at frequent callers, and how you can help us
We know that a vast majority of the calls we get are for people who really need us, and often haven’t ever called 999 before. But there is, albeit a very small, group of service users who use our 999 service a lot more frequently.
24 December 2015
Clinical   kit pic
Have a clinical question? Call CAL!
Unsure about whether to convey a patient or not, or what medication to administer? Or perhaps you just want to run a clinical decision past another clinician? Remember to call the clinical advice line (CAL)!
24 December 2015
ECA   EMT Herts Dec 15 pic 2
Passed with flying colours: our latest ECA - EMTs
Congratulations to all those on our latest ECA – EMT course in Hertfordshire, who have all passed with flying colours!
24 December 2015
Toys for Donation in mid Essex
Essex staff donate gifts to those in need
Two mid-Essex staff have been blown away by the generosity of colleagues following their efforts to help a Chelmsford charity.
24 December 2015
Transparent EEAST crest
Brian Shipley
We are extremely saddened to report the news this week that Brian Shipley, former director of finance and deputy chief executive for Essex Ambulance Service, has passed away after a brave fight against illness.
24 December 2015
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
Man punished for assault on EMT
A man has been convicted of common assault after spitting at a member of staff.
23 December 2015
Facebook like button
All things social media
More than two billion people worldwide now have social media accounts, but do you know the dos and don’ts for using it at work and home?
22 December 2015
Clinical Quality Matters (CQM) logo
New cardiac issue of Clinical Quality Matters published
The first full edition of our newly re-launched Clinical Quality Matters is now available to download – and this issue focuses on cardiac care.
21 December 2015
Blurred ambulance
Acting locality director appointed for Essex
Following a competitive recruitment process, Karl Edwards has been appointed as the acting locality director for Essex. Karl is taking up the post with immediate effect.
21 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
Clinical waste collections this week
There will be no clinical waste collections from Trust sites on the following dates:
21 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
A refresher on STEMI and right ventricular involvement
Here’s a quick refresher from the clinical team on managing patients suffering a STEMI with right ventricular involvement (RVI)…
21 December 2015
SP32 a web
New student paras pass their training
Congratulations to our latest group of student paramedics, who all passed their training this month in Welwyn Garden City.
19 December 2015
Philip Chapman Norfolk patient meet up web
“I cannot thank them enough”: Norfolk man says thank you to his rescuers
A west Norfolk man has been reunited with his life-savers after he suffered a heart attack at home.
18 December 2015
Transparent EEAST crest
Our busiest time of year: An update from CEO Robert Morton
December and the festive period is always our most demanding time of the year and tomorrow we go into what is traditionally known as ‘black Friday’.
17 December 2015
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 17th December
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
17 December 2015
Winter wise ntk
Highlighting our work to the public: Black Friday twitterthon
For those of you on Twitter and who follow @EastEnglandAmb, please support our ‘24 Hours in EoE’ marathon on Friday and Saturday – the first of its kind.
17 December 2015
leighton buzzard cfrs meet pm new web
Major milestones for volunteers in Beds and Herts
Leighton Buzzard’s community first responders (CFRs) were flying the flag for our volunteers last month as they visited 10 Downing Street for a reception with the Prime Minister.
17 December 2015
Bedford EOC 1
Charity gift collection for Luton hospice
Bedford EOC are supporting a local hospice by collecting charitable gift donations – and need your help.
17 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
Latest JESIP news is now available
The latest edition focuses on the findings of the Joint Organisational Learning (JOL) arrangements.
16 December 2015
NHS computer
The British National Formulary (BNF) app now available
Want to access the BNF on your mobile or tablet? Download the NICE apps. Unlike the print BNF, they are updated monthly, making them the easiest way to keep up-to-date.
16 December 2015
Dan Philips Area Clinical Lead web
Behind the scenes: Dan Phillips, Area Clinical Lead
Last week we introduced our ‘behind the scenes’ feature, where we showcase a person or team from across the Trust to tell you a bit more about who they are and what they do. This week we’re welcoming Area Clinical Lead Dan Phillips to the floor…
15 December 2015
Ambulance side shot
New mental health training sessions available in Essex
North Essex Partnership is holding free training events for mental awareness in the new year, aimed at GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, emergency services and staff from ambulance and acute sectors.
14 December 2015
Breathing apparatus
Please check nebuliser masks
Yesterday (9th December) a Suffolk crew found an adult nebuliser mask to be missing the loose, internal baffle diffuser plate, rendering the mask useless.
14 December 2015
Norwich PTS vehicles
Wanted: volunteer PTS drivers
You already work in the ambulance service, but have you thought about becoming a volunteer car driver?
13 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
Saving money and reinvesting in patient facing services
As a Trust we get given a set amount of money every year form our clinical commissioning groups , the people who decide how taxpayers’ money is going to be spent on NHS services in their local area. We then have to decide how we spend that to provide the best possible service to patients.
12 December 2015
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
Reminder: using the phone function within digital radios
The Airwave terminals, or digital radios, that we have on our vehicles have the capability to call any UK telephone number. That means you can use them to make SPOC referrals etc., rather than using your personal phones.
12 December 2015
Staff with patient on stretcher at accident and emergency
The region’s “amazing” ambulance staff have been praised in a new report.
More than 100 people who received emergency medical help in September responded to our feedback questionnaires - with 97.1% saying they were very satisfied or satisfied with the service they received.
11 December 2015
Careers visit Ely sixth form college web
Cambs staff head back to college
Cambridgeshire students were given an insight into the work we do during a talk from two members of staff.
11 December 2015
Robert Morton ambulance OPT
How we provide the best care for patients: An update from CEO Robert Morton
The majority of people seeking healthcare generally access it through their local GP (also called primary care), 999, 111 or the Emergency Department (ED).
10 December 2015
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 10th December
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
10 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
Research study: interviewees wanted
Would you be happy to share your views on ambulance performance measures?
10 December 2015
MB Stars of Norfolk pic web
Staff win at Norfolk and Waveney awards
The dedication of ambulance staff and volunteers was celebrated last week at the Stars of Norfolk and Waveney awards.
10 December 2015
Essex and Herts air ambulance
Essex & Herts air ambo’s clinical day: EEAST staff invited
Our colleagues at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) are holding their monthly clinical governance day next week – and they’ve invited us to join them!
10 December 2015
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
New pilot to help manage pressure at acutes
From 14th December, EEAST will be running a pilot in Essex called ‘intelligent conveyance’ with the aim of managing pressures at the county’s five acutes.
10 December 2015
Staff pic   para epaulettes
Student paramedic update
Every student paramedic in cohort 1 should have received an email earlier this week with details about how to apply online to UEA, guidance on the completion of the APEL, some useful UEA information and an invite letter for an interview.
10 December 2015
Yellow kit bag
Survey: standardised drugs bag & changes made from your feedback
As reported previously on Need to Know - we’re creating a ‘make-ready’ model for our drugs bag.
10 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
Lost property form available
If you are approached by patients or their families who have lost some items, please direct them to the ‘lost property’ section of our website.
09 December 2015
Yellow kit bag
Ibuprofen and paracetamol tablets: update for non-paramedic colleagues
Last week the Trust removed co-codamol from its approved drug suite, recalling all stock. Following this update there has been a number of queries raised by our non-paramedic staff surrounding the rational as to why these are paramedic only medicines.
08 December 2015
Ash OPT   web
Behind the scenes with clinical: Ash Richardson
Welcome to our first ‘behind the scenes’ feature in Need to Know!
08 December 2015
Side of RRV with lozenge
Acting Director of Service Delivery announced
Over the last few months, the Board and executive team have been reviewing the executive structure to assess if it is the right structure to deliver our future plans.
07 December 2015
ACAs and PTDs training  Nov 15   web
Well done to new ACAs and PTDs
Congratulations to a new group of Ambulance Care Assistants (ACAs) and Patient Transport Drivers (PTDs) who have passed their training.
07 December 2015
recruitment in Ipswich   web
Searching for student paramedics in Ipswich
Staff and volunteers braved the wet and windy weather at the weekend for a student paramedic recruitment event in Suffolk.
05 December 2015
Blurred ambulance
Paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets introduced
Following the recall of co-codamol from our drug suite, the Trust has introduced ibuprofen (200mg) and paracetamol (500mg) tablets to our drug bags.
04 December 2015
Yellow kit bag
Co-codamol removed from approved drugs list
The Trust has taken the decision to recall and remove co-codamol tablets (30/500mg) from our approved drug list with immediate effect.
04 December 2015
Blurred ambulance
Trust moves to REAP level 4
Today (4th December) the Trust has moved from REAP level 3 to level 4.
04 December 2015
alf   web
Nominate a colleague for the 2016 AACE Awards
Do you know a colleague who has gone above and beyond the call of duty?
04 December 2015
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 3rd December
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
03 December 2015
Call handler Anna Wisken meets baby Reece and his family  web
New mum thanks call handler Anna
A call handler has been praised for her calm and reassuring words during a sudden home birth.
03 December 2015
Transparent EEAST crest
Public board meeting
The Board met in public last week (Thursday 26th November) and discussed a range of topics including the culture within the Trust, the make ready concept and clinical quality.
03 December 2015
Bedford EOC 1
Reminder: Searching for CAD incidents
With the introduction of the new CAD into Bedford EOC, the way you search for CAD records in portal has changed for incidents in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
03 December 2015
Staff pic   para epaulettes
UEA student paramedic update
Following a recent visit, the UEA Diploma programme for our student paramedics has been recommended for approval.
03 December 2015
Ambulance side shot
Reminder: Come and join the emergency services carol service
The Norfolk Emergency Services Carol service will be taking place at Norwich Cathedral on Monday 7th December at 7.30pm and all staff are invited.
02 December 2015