Archive

News archive from March 2016
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 31st March
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
31 March 2016
RRV with blue lights
REAP is changing
From tomorrow (1st April), national REAP guidance is changing.
31 March 2016
Yellow kit bag
Medicine Management and POM disposals
We get a lot of questions about prescription only medicines (POMs) disposal, so we thought we’d share some of the top Q&As here for you.
31 March 2016
Transparent EEAST crest
Executive update: CQC inspection starting next week
On Tuesday (29th March), Chief Executive Robert Morton issued an executive update to colleagues with information about the forthcoming Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection starting next week.
31 March 2016
Blurred ambulance
Further changes to the sudden death policy in Bedfordshire
From now on, police sergeants and detective sergeants (and ranks above only) from Bedfordshire Police may recognise that life is extinct
31 March 2016
Ambulance side shot
Raising concerns, whistleblowing and Speak out guardians
The Trust has been reviewing the key recommendation of the Francis Review in connection with a single national whistleblowing policy that should be adopted to “normalise the raising of concerns”.
31 March 2016
Kevin Webster receives his award from Matt Broad   web
Three CFRs from Norfolk presented with awards
Three volunteers have been recognised for their long-running commitment to saving lives in Norfolk.
31 March 2016
Ambulance on motorway
Trust experiences 17% increase in Easter calls
Staff and volunteers have been thanked for their hard work after a 17% increase in demand over the Easter weekend.
30 March 2016
Ambulance side shot
Elderly trauma training
Places are available for a half day training course in Birmingham on elderly trauma.
30 March 2016
Staff with patient on stretcher at accident and emergency
New GCP training available to staff
A new learning module on Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is available to all staff online.
29 March 2016
Ahead of an undoubtedly busy bank holiday: an update from CEO Robert Morton (28th April)
"We’ve now completed the unannounced phase of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection process, which ended on Monday (25th April), with the unannounced inspections in locations as far apart as Peterborough and Southend."
28 March 2016
Anna Price   web
Behind the scenes: Anna Price, named professional for safeguarding
Our ‘behind the scenes’ feature, where we highlight a person or team from within the Trust, continues.
28 March 2016
Blurred ambulance
Health Enterprise East competition now open
The Health Enterprise East (HEE) innovation competition is now open - and you could win a voucher up to the value of £2,500 to progress your idea.
27 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Reminder – selling Trust uniform and equipment
In the last few months, we’ve seen items of Trust uniform being sold on eBay. In some of these cases, the sellers have been identified as members of staff.
26 March 2016
GrahamClark  web
Paramedic Graham appointed to join College of Paramedics council
Our congratulations go to one of our own this week who has been chosen as a new council member for The College of Paramedics.
25 March 2016
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
Accessible Information Standard – the ins and outs
Guidance on the Accessible Information Standard is available online.
25 March 2016
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 24th March
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
24 March 2016
Yellow kit bag
Medicines Management and controlled drugs disposals – you asked, we answer
We get a lot of questions about disposing controlled drugs (CDs), so we thought we’d share some of the top Q&As here for you.
24 March 2016
Clinical   kit pic
Laryngoscope issue reported
We’ve been made aware of a potential issue with our laryngoscopes, whereby the light doesn’t work properly when used.
24 March 2016
RRV with blurred paramedic
New PGD for paramedics: sign yours today
This month our paramedic patient group direction (PGD), which details what drugs paramedics are able to give, was updated.
24 March 2016
Staff pic   para epaulettes
Quality assurance or ‘QA8’ forms – what are they?
The Trust is currently working on ways of improving our clinical knowledge and standards of care.
24 March 2016
Ambulance side shot
“Exemplary, calming, and very caring” staff praised in a new survey
More than 100 patients who received emergency treatment in January (the busiest start to a year on record), completed feedback questionnaires - with 98% being very satisfied, satisfied or fairly satisfied with the service.
24 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Essex police workshop: book your place today
Colleagues are invited to join a police workshop about options they have if they suffer abuse in the line of duty.
24 March 2016
Childcare voucher scheme
Spotting the sick child e-learning
A learning tool to help health care professionals spot children with serious illnesses is available online.
23 March 2016
Ambulance side shot
EEAST attends successful emergency care conference
Our research support services colleagues attended the 18th 999 EMS Research Forum in Newcastle this month (1st March), an event which promotes research and evidence based practice in emergency healthcare.
22 March 2016
Ross Filby  web
Behind the scenes: Ross Filby, Clinical Co-ordinator
We are continuing our ‘behind the scenes’ feature, where we showcase a person or team from within the Trust.
21 March 2016
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
Trust policy and procedure updates
The following policies and procedures have been reviewed and updated this month (February).
20 March 2016
Blurred ambulance
Changes to the state pension
The current state pension is made up of two parts: the basic state pension and the additional state pension (the additional state pension is sometimes called the state second pension, or SERPS).
19 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Agency colleagues supporting patient-facing services
As you may have seen in last week’s recent exec update, we’re increasing our use of private ambulance services (PAS), and are also trialling using agency paramedics on a limited number of vehicles in parts of Hertfordshire and Essex.
18 March 2016
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 17th March
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
17 March 2016
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
NHS staff to receive 1% pay rise
It was announced last week that the Government has accepted a 1% pay-rise for all NHS staff.
17 March 2016
V Festival logo OPT
Colleagues needed for V-Festival
We’re on the lookout again for colleagues to work at this year’s V Festival.
17 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Oral paracetamol and ibuprofen approved for EMTs
Following the removal of co-codamol 30/500mg tablets, the Trust introduced paracetamol and ibuprofen, which were initially for paramedic use only.
17 March 2016
Family in a park
The results are in for the friends and family test
Since the rollout of the Friends and Family Test (FFT) last year, the Trust has received more than 2,000 patient responses.
17 March 2016
Yellow kit bag
New upgraded thermometers available on vehicles
The tympanic thermometers we carry have been replaced with a newer model.
17 March 2016
NHS computer
Survey: how confident do you feel about maternity incidents?
How confident are you when attending maternity related incidents?
17 March 2016
Kevin Rudd Hannah OliveJones and James Tuddenham with baby Jupiter   web
“I was glad they were there to catch her”: Norfolk mum thanks crew after baby delivery
A Norfolk mum has been reunited with the crew who delivered her daughter during a dramatic home birth.
15 March 2016
Drugs
Managing morphine and other meds: what you've been asking
We get a lot of questions about the dos and don’ts of medicines management, particularly around morphine, so we thought we’d share some of the top Q&As here for you.
14 March 2016
Ambulance side shot
Improve your health and wellbeing by supporting NHS campaign
Public Health England (PHE) has launched its ‘One You’ campaign, to help adults avoid future illnesses from everyday habits and behaviours.
14 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Interviewees wanted for university research study
What are your views on ambulance performance measures? Would you be happy to share them?
12 March 2016
RRV with blurred paramedic
Polite reminder for parking at Ipswich
Please be aware that parking availability at Ipswich station is very limited; all colleagues are politely asked to only park at the station if they are part of the operational team based there.
11 March 2016
Linda Darby Stalham and Smallburgh CFR co ordinator  web
Volunteer Linda receives a royal invitation
A life-saver has spoken of her delight after receiving a Royal Garden Party invitation in recognition of more than 10 years volunteer work.
11 March 2016
RRV with blue lights
CQC inspection - have your say
We are just four weeks away from our Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. Have you booked your place at one of the CQC focus groups?
10 March 2016
Transparent EEAST crest
Sarah Boulton reappointed as Trust Chair
The NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) has today confirmed the re-appointment of Sarah Boulton as our Trust Chair.
10 March 2016
Scott Dyer   Dawn Howlett   Sue McCloud  Lucas and William   and Jan Boreham
Essex mum thanks 'fantastic' crews after dramatic home birth
Our crews have been hailed as ‘fantastic and professional’ after delivering a baby following a dramatic home birth.
10 March 2016
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list - 10th March
This week's HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available.
10 March 2016
Syringes
Guidance for needlestick and splash incidents
Occupational exposure incidents are where a member of staff has been exposed to blood or body fluids.
10 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Exec update: the relentless increase in demand
Yesterday Chief Executive Robert Morton issued an executive update to colleagues about the relentless increase in demand, and the impact it’s having on staff.
10 March 2016
NHS computer
New Trust templates for corporate use
In line with the visions and values materials, we have produced some new templates for colleagues to start using.
09 March 2016
Blurred ambulance
Press release: Use 999 wisely - plea after surge in demand
Press release issued to public and media to use 999 wisely after surge in demand.
08 March 2016
Transparent EEAST crest
Get involved in CQC focus groups
We are just four weeks away from our Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection – and now you have the opportunity to give direct feedback to the CQC!
08 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Upcoming stock takes
Please note stock takes for all three supplies centres will be taking place on the week commencing 21st March.
08 March 2016
Side of RRV with lozenge
Staff engagement forum – POSTPONED
As you know EEAST is currently under tremendous pressure....therefore we have had to take the difficult decision to postpone the staff engagement event which was going to take place on Thursday.
07 March 2016
Robert Morton, CEO
Here's to the future: an update from CEO Robert Morton
"So, our inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is now well underway, with inspectors visiting stations, offices and EOCs across the patch over the last few days. "
07 March 2016
Yellow kit bag
Prescription reminder for ECPs
If you are supplying a patient with medication that requires a prescription charge, a form will need to be filled out at the time.
07 March 2016
Ambulance line up blue sky
North East Essex PTS contract
The patient transport services (PTS) contract in north east Essex will start on Friday, 1st April.
06 March 2016
EEAST RRVs and amb on scene
Successful prosecutions after assaults on staff
A man who threatened and hit a member of staff with a walking stick has been fined and ordered to pay compensation.
05 March 2016
Ambulances on corner of road
Scheme to change A&E destination rolled out across Trust
With the continued challenges that we are experiencing around handover delays at hospital, and following discussions that Chief Executive Robert Morton has had on this issue with acute trust CEOs today, the Trust has taken the decision to extend its ‘intelligent conveyance’ (IC) pilot across the region, effective tomorrow (Saturday, 5th March).
04 March 2016
Clinical   kit pic
Reminder: Reporting failures of medical devices
Please ensure that if a medical device fails or a problem develops when using it, you report it via Datix so it can be investigated thoroughly.
04 March 2016
Ambulance side shot
New software coming soon for IPC audits
The Trust is changing the software that allows you to submit audits for infection, prevention and control (IPC).
04 March 2016
Staff pic   para epaulettes
Changes to policy regarding patients with mental health
The capacity to consent policy has been recently updated and is available on East24.
04 March 2016
Yellow kit bag
Disposing of out of date drugs
Updated guidance of how to dispose of out of date drugs and denaturing controlled drugs is available on East24.
04 March 2016
Transparent EEAST crest
Funeral arrangements for beloved colleague Gary
As we’re sure you’re aware, our beloved colleague and friend Gary Smithen sadly passed away last month.
03 March 2016
Chelmsford HEOC
Cleric CAD live in Chelmsford EOC
On Wednesday (2nd March) morning the new Cleric CAD successfully went live in Chelmsford EOC.
03 March 2016
HR ezine image OPT
Vacancy and transfer list – 3rd March
This week’s HR e-zine, with the latest job vacancies and transfer opportunities, is now available to view online.
03 March 2016
Bedford EOC 1
ePCR and incident numbers
Now that the whole Trust is operating successfully on the new CAD system, staff will be aware that there has been a change to how incident numbers are formatted.
03 March 2016
Staff with patient on stretcher at accident and emergency
Reminder: reporting sickness and short notice absence
On 9th March, a new interface between GRS and OHIO (the online occupational health system) will go live.
03 March 2016
Ambulance line up blue sky
Bank contracts
For those leaving any patient facing roles, the Trust is able to offer shifts via the bank (casual worker arrangements).
03 March 2016
Steve wainwright
Super Steve attends 50th school visit
A Cambridgeshire technician has attended his 50th public engagement event.
03 March 2016
Tying surgical apron
New assessment hub live at North Walsham Hospital in norfolk
A Clinical Assessment and Treatment Hub (CATH) has gone live at North Walsham Hospital, open 9am – 6pm, seven days a week.
02 March 2016
Blurred ambulance
Clinical focus: a look at neutropenic sepsis
What is it?- Neutropenic sepsis is caused by a condition known as neutropenia.
01 March 2016