Rumour busting: Are we merging with West Mids and other rumours

The Trust has set up a ‘rumour busting’ email address to try and clarify some of the most talked about issues in the service. Here we look at just a few of the latest Q&As…

Q: I’ve heard a rumour that EEAST will be merging with West Midlands, is that true?

There are no plans to merge with West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS). It is true that members of staff from WMAS are helping to accelerate some of our transformational objectives and EEAST operational managers have been working closely with their WMAS counterparts in the last couple of weeks. However we can confirm that there is no truth to the rumour of a merger.

Q: I’ve passed my pre-entry ECA exam with a really high pass rate, but haven’t heard when I’ll be on a course – will it be this year?

Two hundred emergency care assistants (ECAs) passed their pre-entry exam with a very high pass rate, with most being in the 80 – 90% range. Unfortunately we cannot abstract everyone who passed at the same time as this would obviously have a huge impact on the service. All ECAs will be allocated a place on a course at their nearest training centre and courses will continue to run until all those who successfully passed the pre-entry exam have had the opportunity to progress on this pathway.

If you have heard something that you think might not be right, please email rumourbusting@eastamb.nhs.uk and we will respond as soon as we can.

Published on 6th June 2014