Update from Anthony Marsh - 4th December 2014

Chief Executive Dr Anthony Marsh

Last weekend was the busiest on record at EEAST and so I’d like to start by thanking you all for your efforts for maintaining a safe service to patients under very difficult circumstances. This high level of demand was replicated at other ambulance services around the country and follows the trend we have seen this year; there has been a 14.5% increase in Red calls alone, which equates to 21,492 calls, from April to October compared to the same period last year. Our own experience mirrors the wider pressure on the NHS.

Despite the extra pressure we find ourselves under, we are showing definite signs of improvement. Last week we were the best ambulance service in the country for 999 call pick-up time of five seconds, and we were the second best for responding to Red 1 calls. These are fantastic steps and I am very proud of this achievement - well done. No longer are we the worst performing ambulance service. Of the 120 emergency ambulances 53 are already operational, and the remaining 67 will be on the road by the end of March.

This is a direction we definitely want to continue on but I recognise there is still a long way to go. The pressure you are experiencing will be relieved bit by bit as more operational staff join the frontline and the overall clinical grade of our staff improves. As we head into the seasonal pressures undoubtedly we will find ourselves having busier days and weeks. However we are in a much stronger position to cope with them and as always, you have my complete support as we turn this organisation into a consistently high-performing ambulance trust. I look forward to seeing some of you as I get out and about on stations and responding over the Christmas and New Year period.

Published 4th December 2014

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