Staff briefing roundup

Welcome – Rob Gerlis

ICS Exec team has been making its anti-racism pledge and I will be doing this too
We are also looking at work around a zero carbon ICS. A lot of work is being done around the estate and we need to think about how we are all going to change our behaviours. We are looking at putting a plan together. We will look at putting some slides together to share with everyone. In the meantime, it’s worth thinking about ‘what’s the carbon footprint of my team’ and what can we do to change that
Crocus Surgery move – Rob and I went to the opening of the Crocus practice in Saffron Walden. Thank you to Lauren Oldershaw in our Comms team for organising the event and working closely with NHS Property Services. We reopened part of a ward that wasn’t being used to create extra consulting rooms and higher quality facilities for the practice. Thanks also to the practice staff and Tracy Manzi and Geoff Roberts for their hard work. Kemi Badenoch, MP for Saffron Walden, was also able to attend
PCN – clinical directors met last week to discuss the latest guidance around GP access and activity. The guidance asks us to be more specific around the request for face to face appointments, while recognising that practices have had a tough time with a lot of pressure. This issue is the biggest thing in MPs’ inboxes
ICS staff briefing – if you have any questions in relation to last week’s ICS staff briefing, please do raise them or email us

Patients being treated for COVID up from 17 to 25 at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow
Cases are up in Uttlesford, but not so much for Harlow and Epping Forest
Rob – Flu may be a big think this winter
Will have more information on flu figures soon

Our Health Inequalities group met face to face for the first time on Tuesday last week. It looks at mid to longer term prevention and health equity work in areas including socio economic, lifestyle and behavioural, clinical care and built environment. Underpinning all that is digital data and intelligence, communications etc.
We are looking into another sessions on 24 November in Harlow which will involve stakeholders. Discussed this with the Health and Wellbeing Board in Uttlesford and they want to be included
I’ve had my COVID booster jab – everyone who is offered it should get theirs when six months have passed after having their second dose. Please remember you can only book your booster if you’ve passed the 182 day stage after your second dose
COVID jabs for school children are underway. This is being delivered by EPUT
Flu jabs are also important this winter. Dates to be confirmed for Spencer Close
Starter and leaver forms – if you are completing these please get sign off from Finance before submitting the form

If anyone missed the ICS staff briefing last week a recording is available on YouTube
If you have any questions from this, please email the Communications team. The west Essex Comms team will be arranging the next briefing in November, so forward your questions on
Today, you should have received an email inviting all staff to book onto a listening event. This is part of the work leading up to transition to an Integrated Care Board from April. The idea behind the events is to make sure this is done with staff suggestions and comments in mind. You can choose from one of six sessions that are running throughout November and into the start of December
Don’t forget to register your team for the Halloween/Bonfire Night quiz on Thursday 4 November at 7.30pm. Email the Communications team with your team name, names of your team members and team captain