Update from Anthony Marsh - 2nd April 2015

When I started at EEAST in January 2014, I outlined six key priorities for the transformation of the organisation during the first 12 months. We have successfully delivered against each of these and so now we turn to this year, to continue on our path of improvement towards becoming a sustainable top performing ambulance service. The following priorities for 2015/16 were signed off at the Board meeting last week:

• recruit and train 400 student paramedics
• upskill 60 ECAs to EMT and 40 EMTs to paramedic
• continue fleet replacement programme to maintain all frontline vehicles less than five years old
• reinvest the corporate spend into frontline delivery through robust benchmarking
• implement an Organisational Development programme
• secure CAD system.

As you can see, some of these are the same as last year and reiterates mine and the organisation’s commitment to filling our paramedic vacancies, your progression, having a fleet that is fit for purpose and continuing to direct the necessary funds into frontline delivery.

The latter two priorities are important as we go into the next stage of transformation. Organisational development is how we will plan to ensure sustained performance and change the culture of the service and we will need the involvement of every member of staff to implement the programme. We have brought forward plans to secure the CAD and have sought the views of operational, EOC, IT and information staff on what we need the system to be. We hope to have a system in place in the autumn and we will keep you updated on the progression of this on Need to Know.

As I said last year, I want everyone to focus on these priorities, regardless of your role. We have seen where dedication to the priorities can take us, so it is important that we all keep that focus to improve the care we give to our patients and better support our staff. I will continue to regularly update you on our progress in my weekly message. Please be assured of my determination to drive forward the necessary improvements to make EEAST the organisation we want it to be.

Tuesday (7^th April) marks a year since our first student paramedic course started in Norwich; we are now on our 23^rd course in Melbourn. This is a real measure of the progress we have made as an organisation and I hope all of our students are enjoying life on the road or in the classroom and are on their way to becoming first-class paramedics with EEAST.

Finally, I would like to say thank you in advance to all those working over the Easter bank holiday weekend, stay safe and look after yourselves and each other.

Published 2nd April 2015