Staff briefing roundup

Welcome – Rob Gerlis

General update – Peter Wightman

• Following on from the Joint CCGs’ statutory AGM in July, this Thursday we are holding the CCG’s celebration event where we will look at the achievements of the CCG over the last year. This will be the final time West Essex CCG meets in this way and going forward we will hold all our Board meetings and AGM with the Hertfordshire CCGs.
• We would welcome staff to join us on the call and will send the link to join out to everyone as a diary invite today if you would like to join.
• Cancer delays in PAH are longer than the other two areas – due to recording system
• There are challenges with intensive care capacity
• NHS111 are struggling, particular spark in demand with return to school
• September has been very busy in urgent care
• ICS transition – shortlisting process for ICS chief executive – Jane is automatically shortlisted to interview – this will be confirmed in November
• All the other statutory posts all go out to and will be interviewed after chief executive
• Other exec roles will be clarified
• Lay member posts will go out to recruitment
• Simone – You may start to see different titles – for example, lay members may be referred to as Non-Executive Member (NED) – feel free to discuss with Simone
• Task and finish groups – looking at your views around key functions, how best to do things as we develop into ICS for April 2022

Vaccination update – Stephen Fry

• We are making slow and steady progress
• 18-39 year olds – almost at 70% vaccinated
• There have been new cases, but there is no significant change
• Epping and Harlow have reduced in the case rate
• PAH had 19 COVID positive patients as of last Friday

Local update – Ian

• You will have seen that some petrol stations are struggling to meet the demand for fuel, and there is congestion in a number of locations due to queues at petrol stations. It’s important to remember there is no shortage of fuel – the issue lies with a lack of HGV drivers to get the fuel to the stations. We ask everyone to make sure they consider whether they need to refuel before going to queue to get more.
• We’re working with health and social care services from Herts and west Essex to prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable people we care for. We do have business continuity arrangements for circumstances such as these, which will be put in place as necessary. If you are concerned about being able to meet the requirements of your role due to a lack of fuel, please talk to your line manager.
• I know some people have asked if there are any plans for fuel schemes for some staff groups – we are not aware of any plans to prioritise fuel supplies the moment.
• Vaccinations – we will soon have a map of all vaccinations
• COVID booster – you can have this 6 months after your last jab – you go on national booking system and apply – or you can get it done at your local PCN site
• Flu – if you are at a certain age you will be invited to have a flu jab.
• Staff flu jabs will either be held at PAH or St Margaret’s – we are aiming for mid-October
• The cancer team is holding a cancer conference tomorrow (30 Sept) at the BMAT college in Harlow. The event is for cancer patients, people caring for someone with cancer, colleagues working in the cancer profession. While places to attend in person are now filled, you can register to join online and watch the event virtually if you wish. Details on how to join are on the My Health Essex website, which we will put into the chat now.
• Staff survey – we urge everyone to complete these. We had one of the highest completion rates last year. It does make a difference and your voice matters

Agnes Annan – HR

• Changes to payroll – we are changing payroll providers and have signed a new contract and expect to have  fewer issues.
• We have two new payroll forms – one is change form; you can use this for change of name/address/bank details etc and the other form is leavers
• With the starter form, recruitment will finish the process off so you don’t need to worry about this
• We have a few new staff that have joined the team, we would like to welcome – Trudie Osbourne, new ODL adviser, who joined earlier this month – looks after mandatory training and courses and any questions training and appraisals – email Trudie or training@nhs.net
• Call for school vaccinators in the East of England, this includes clinical and non–clinical staff – you can find out more by visiting the AskHue job page
• Update on the NHS Staff Survey – Please complete this at your earliest convenience