Staff briefing roundup

Here’s a summary of what was covered in this week’s staff briefing…

Welcome – Peter Wightman

Vaccination update – Stephen Fry

• Latest position looks better. There are eight cohorts above 90% who are fully vaccinated
• Prevalence – numbers in last 7 days are up slightly in Epping and down slightly in Uttlesford
• East of England – no significant changes in last 7 days in terms of cases or deaths
• PAH COVID patients – higher than it was, although not getting any worse at the moment
• Flu vaccines – in terms of vaccinations, we’re generally tracking slightly lower than Herts, so this is something to keep an eye on

General update – Peter Wightman

• From 1 April 2022, it will be compulsory for all NHS patient-facing staff in England to have received both doses of the COVID vaccine
• PAH is currently on OPEL 4. Thanks to everyone who is on call and working with PAH to support them
• NHS England ratings for providers and ICSs were published today. Our rating was a 3; Cambridge and Peterborough and Norfolk and Waveney was rated as a 4. West Herts Trust made it into level 2 and HPFT, the mental health provider in our ICS, was rated as a 1. These levels mean extra supervision and oversight from regional
• The One Health and Care Partnership Board took place yesterday. They agreed a whole series of task and finish groups
• Yesterday, we had a first look at the functional mapping exercise. As an Exec, we’re having a look at some of the more straightforward themes – thanks to everyone who input into this process
• MP visits week before last and we’re now preparing for another meeting with Harlow MP Robert Halfon to discuss GP access. We received a big list from the Harlow MP on the issues surrounding four of our practices. There’s a big programme we’re working on to support those practices. It’s been very challenging for Jackie on reception and the PALS team as patients try and get through
• Anurita Rohilla – the practices are really struggling and nobody wants to be a receptionist right now. They have receptionists walking out and the amount of abuse they’re getting from the public is unbelievable. It’s about getting that zero tolerance but also making sure patients are getting seen by the right people at the right place. There’s a piece of work being done so people can access services electronically if they can. We’re looking at what sort of enquiries are blocking the phone lines, so we can help to redirect patients. We’re also looking at how we can engage with our communities as each practice is different. Looking at doing a mailshot to all households. It’s very complex but we’re pulling a plan together and making sure we optimise with all the other partners there to help, eg is signposting going to right place? There’s a number of factors around it all
• Peter Wightman – can I say a big thank you to the team who are working really hard on this. It will continue to be frustrating for patients, but if we can reduce this and help patients it’s a good thing
• Princess Alexandra Hospital’s CQC inspection – a report will come out tomorrow, including details on maternity and ED
• ICS staff briefing last week – please let us know if you have any feedback following last week’s joint staff meeting. We need to know if you want more or less of specific items, as we’re trying to make them as useful as possible for you. The more feedback you can give us the better that session will be for everyone

Local update – Ian Tompkins

• The guidance for COVID booster jabs changed earlier this week. If you are over 40 you can (from Monday 22 November) pre-book your jab at five months (152 days), ready to have the jab at six months (182 days)
• Guidance for 16-17 year olds has also changed and it is now recommended this age group has a second jab after 12 weeks of the first dose. Again, this is effective from Monday 22 November
• If you were unable to come in to Spencer Close for your flu jab, they are still being offered at PAH. Details on getting your annual flu vaccine were shared in the staff newsletter last week and are on AskHUE
• Everyone should now have received a link to the NHS Staff Survey. Please do complete this – it doesn’t take long. If you still haven’t had it and have checked your junk folder, please email the HR Advisory team. Please also ensure you send all other HR and ODL queries, in the first instance, to the HR Advisory team email address. Further details on contacting the HR and ODL team are on AskHUE.

Welcome new starters – Peter Wightman

• Peter welcomed Jason Vertudaches, who joined the Nursing and Quality team last week

Your questions

• (Q) Joanne Reay – what are the plans for the offices opening over Christmas?
• (A) Ian Tompkins – we’ve not thought about it yet, but I’m in the office tomorrow and will sort with Jackie Hall