tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post4969302978660055229..comments2023-10-22T10:16:40.522+01:00Comments on The Broken Paramedic: Economy of Blood: Are Private Ambulance Organisations the Problem or the Solution?Mat Westhorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08553980835026556794noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-52228795921732910252017-05-31T09:20:51.259+01:002017-05-31T09:20:51.259+01:00Thank you for sharing such wonderful information! ...Thank you for sharing such wonderful information! In my opinion, Keep a healthy life by consuming healthy food and doing exercise regularly is the best healthy formula.<br /><br />Health Jobs Australiahttp://www.medicaljobsaustralia.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-30049861907883746562014-01-03T12:43:11.081+00:002014-01-03T12:43:11.081+00:00Thanks for distribution this Details, your blog is...Thanks for distribution this Details, your blog is really very informative and very helpful blog, here is one of the excellent ambulance Flymed Rescue provide <a href="http://www.airambulancedelhi.co.in/" rel="nofollow">Air ambulance services in Delhi</a> which is on time and also premedical first aid to the critical ill patient.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11339004042761574317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-34036290350310121942013-10-26T22:10:26.556+01:002013-10-26T22:10:26.556+01:00I see the Eastern Daily Press (EDP) have published...I see the Eastern Daily Press (EDP) have published an article titled "999 trust slashes private ambulance costs"<br /><br />Is that an accurate description? The article quotes figures released by the trust under a freedom of information request, the figures show the trust spent £1.9m in March and £1.3m in April compared with £990,484 in August and £757,999 in September. The article goes on to quote Rob Ashford, acting director of service delivery suggesting money is now going to pay agency staff as well. <br /><br />Why I question if "slashing private ambulance costs" is an accurate description is twofold. Firstly Mat published an article on this blog on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 titled "Blame, Private Ambulances and the Cost of Lives" in which he published the private ambulance costs over a 17 month period from April 2011 to August 2012. The highest monthly cost then was £1,090,099, but the average monthly cost was £753,864. The current costs are still much higher. Secondly, if the trust is now also spending money on "agency staff" which is in addition to the private ambulance cover, it is still NHS money going to a private "agency". Yes, I accept it may be better than paying a private ambulance provider who may be competing for our PTS contracts, but we are still using more private ambulances as well, also are any of the private ambulance services running the agencies or providing the agency staff?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-89227781865788012912013-10-22T16:39:49.274+01:002013-10-22T16:39:49.274+01:00They told the EDP on 31st August that they had &qu...They told the EDP on 31st August that they had "recruited 160 emergency care assitants and paramedics".<br /><br />Now their "Turnaround Plan" stated they wanted to recruit 96 ECAs (even though Anthony Marsh advised them not to).<br /><br />So does this mean that they actually recruited 153 ECAs to go with the 7 paramedics / specialist paramedics, or are their claims more, complete b*ll*cks?<br /><br />Who on earth would believe anything they say?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-26875218307191857612013-10-21T23:29:12.728+01:002013-10-21T23:29:12.728+01:00Actually, the figure is minus 48 since 2012! Yes, ...Actually, the figure is minus 48 since 2012! Yes, 48 more paramedics have left than have joined since January 2012! But does this also include paramedics who have come off the road to transfer to HART or HEOC?<br /><br />I hear that many potential recruits change their mind at the last minute when they find they are going to be permanent relief staff, run ragged, treated like shite and receive no ongoing paid training (unless they are willing and available to come in on their days off).<br /><br />"Sense of helplessness" is a bit of an understatement.<br /><br />Now, if the Trust scrapped relief, provided paid ongoing training (without having to jump through hoops to apply so you can come in on your rest days, to enable them to achieve their CQUIN targets), placed more ambulances on the road, stopped expecting everyone to single attend in an ambulance and generally stopped treating those of us left like shite, we may start getting somewhere.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the above is unlikely to happen and the only way forward for the near future is to use agency staff, privates and significant overtime incentives. To use a euphemism from 'Game of Thrones', "winter is coming" to East of England. Patients and staff alike are going to deteriorate or freeze to death waiting for ambulances. Let's have a public enquiry and get it over with.<br /><br />The job is just not worth the adverse health effects anymore, personally I am hoping that shortly it will be minus 49 recruited. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-66947173185067391302013-10-21T17:28:14.396+01:002013-10-21T17:28:14.396+01:00I see Andrew Morgan's "Turnaround Plan&qu...I see Andrew Morgan's "Turnaround Plan" including the recruitment of an "extra" 231 paramedics is going well.<br /><br />So far they have recruited an extra 4 (that's FOUR,) this year!<br /><br />https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/recruiting_paramedics#incoming-440738<br /><br />Keep up the great work AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-38219368039550958782013-09-23T21:26:03.799+01:002013-09-23T21:26:03.799+01:00I've always wondered where the private ambulan...I've always wondered where the private ambulance firms get their staff - I have a choice to work for the NHS, get paid OK get a decent pension and the T&C's are reasonable. OK there is a lot of crap falling on you from above, but the NHS is not an awful employer.<br /><br />Or...<br /><br />I join a private firm who save money by not paying the staff as much as in the NHS with a worse pension and likely worse kit. The T&Cs are also likely to be slanted in the firm's favour all in a way to squeeze more profit.<br /><br />So why would any sensible clinician join a private firm? Given some of my experiences with private crews maybe they won't be employed by the NHS because clinically they are, erm, crap.<br /><br />(Trying to think of something other than 'crap' but it's late and my brain is on shutdown - apologies).<br /><br />OK, so they save money on employing ECA's or similarly undertrained staff, but I do see a fair few walking around with paramedic epaulettes and it makes me wonder why they aren't in the NHS.<br /><br />Just my tuppence worth about the scores of private ambulances rolling around my local patch.Brian Kelletthttp://briankellett.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-64271237473598425362013-09-20T21:20:48.059+01:002013-09-20T21:20:48.059+01:00There ya go - it had been automatically flagged as...There ya go - it had been automatically flagged as spam (not sure why).Mat Westhorpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553980835026556794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-78146216769873800692013-09-20T21:18:18.459+01:002013-09-20T21:18:18.459+01:00That's odd. Nothing has been moderated or remo...That's odd. Nothing has been moderated or removed and I know the comment you mean - I read it via my email notification. I'm not sure why it's not shown up in the comments thread. Apologies, I'll look into it.Mat Westhorpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553980835026556794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-39145911275353122542013-09-20T20:46:43.072+01:002013-09-20T20:46:43.072+01:00Wasn't sure if my comment last night about the...Wasn't sure if my comment last night about the "ambulance service run by mates culture" was not posted or if it was removed as a 'comment too far' or because I unknowingly mentioned an ongoing investigation? <br />I don't want to spoil a good site so if it was removed by Mat I respect whatever the reason was but it would be nice to know? If it wasn't removed should I try and repost? Maybe attempt to tone it down?<br />Don't agree with the comment about Andrew Morgan above. We have been "led by Donkeys" for a long time and the result is we have all been treading in Donkey Shite, it will take time to get rid of it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-77248050554754551132013-09-20T19:24:54.295+01:002013-09-20T19:24:54.295+01:00So Andrew Morgan applied for his own job but wasn&...So Andrew Morgan applied for his own job but wasn't good enough?<br /><br />Great. So now we're stuck with him until someone better comes along. Is this car crash of a "service" ever going to recover?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-47712853798318544592013-09-20T01:47:46.970+01:002013-09-20T01:47:46.970+01:00AMBULANCE SERVICES RUN BY “MATES DOWN THE PUB”
I ...AMBULANCE SERVICES RUN BY “MATES DOWN THE PUB”<br /><br />I have been reading this blog and the comments for some time and have been impressed at the accuracy of most of the articles and comments, many of the comments and predictions have been vindicated by action (resignations) press reports and freedom of information requests. <br /><br />It is evident that control and road staff (I have spent half my career in ‘control’) have been continually lied to in the past. Some of the lies have been about “employing extra staff”, “reduction in management costs” and “double staffed ambulance cover”. Freedom of information requests on website whatdotheyknow.com have shown up these lies, and more. So why are things no better?<br /><br />The comment from “Anonymous” above @ 23:42;<br /><br /> “Also, now he has gone are we not still left with his mates (the rest of the “TOWIE Mafia”) and others who have a questionable disciplinary history?”<br /><br /> Along with other information on this blog, this comment may point to the answer.It has been suggested that many (if not all) of the appointees to the Sector Lead, GM and AGM positions were regular “mates down the pub” with each other and with Neil Storey. The question is did Neil Storey declare any close ‘friendships’ with the Sector Lead, GM or AGM candidates before interviewing for the positions. If he did, why was he allowed to interview and appoint them? If he didn't why didn't he admit his friendships? You may ask what difference it makes (especially now he has gone) if he appointed all his mates into senior manager positions, (apart from taking Cronyism to a new level). Well again some comments on this site and freedom of information requests about the costs of the Trust investigating the conduct of its own managers (and human resources department) in disciplinary matters points to why it is important.<br /><br />You can bury your head in the sand if you like, but an open culture and unbiased disciplinary and grievance procedure is vital, otherwise Unison or the GMB are wasting their time trying to represent you at disciplinary hearings and taking out grievances will also be a waste of time.<br /><br /> What if one of your managers did something inappropriate, are you going to even report the incident if his manager is “his mate down the pub” or the AGM, GM and Sector Lead are all “mates down the pub” if you did report it what do you think the outcome will be?<br /><br />You face disciplinary action and one of the “mates” doesn't like you, what do you think the outcome will be? Unconvinced? Try reading whatdotheyknow.com about the “cost of investigation ordered by EEAS”, where the Trust “altered reports” and “withheld information” during a disciplinary in order to try and sack a member of staff, it still didn't work so they tried to get the HPC to do it for them by trying to pervert their disciplinary hearings, then when found out, having spent thousands to investigate the conduct of its managers, they now appear to have covered up the investigation. No manager has been disciplined.<br /><br /> Contrast that with some of “the mates down the pub” (Anonymous 23 March 2013 23:53) and how they were dealt with.<br /> <br />I don’t know about all the sectors, but here in Essex the only people who don’t think we need more DSA’s are some of these senior appointees (incredible) but are you going to suggest to them that they are wrong? <br /><br /> I see no one has answered “Anonymous 18 May 2013” above as to why Rob Ashford from Thames Ambulance was prearranged to be at a council meeting with East of England Ambulance or who asked the question?<br /><br />Is the answer “mates down the pub”?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-65116966056159513382013-08-31T23:42:06.980+01:002013-08-31T23:42:06.980+01:00I don't know about the rest of you in EEAST bu...I don't know about the rest of you in EEAST but I am getting milghty fedup with the constant propaganda regarding the increasing number of ambulances and recruitment drive. Since Neil Storey reduced the number of DSA's (and couldn't see why that was a problem) I have seen ZERO, ZILCH, DIDDLY SQUAT more DSA's on the road to transport patients. Also, now he has gone are we not still left with his mates (the rest of the "TOWIE Mafia") and others who have a questionable disciplinary history? <br /><br /> When we recruited Rob Ashford from Thames Ambulance, bearing in mind he had negotiated the Thames contract with East of England Ambulance Service (including presumably his mate Neil Storey) now that Rob Ashford is working for us, exactly how long does the Thames contract last for? Is this allowable under the Public Service tender regulations, to negotiate a contract with a company then employ the Chief Executive of the same company? <br /><br /> Regarding the recruitment drive this also means nothing in practical terms if the number of Paramedics leaving is more than the number being recruited, I notice those figures aren't published. It looks like the only number that has increased is the number of managers, including three sector leads at £100,000+ per annum each, big saving to be made there. What happened to all the previous managers who didn't get a sector lead, GM or AGM position? Are we still employing/paying them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-74041460460753900272013-08-12T19:20:40.228+01:002013-08-12T19:20:40.228+01:00Well apparently instead of "driving forward i...Well apparently instead of "driving forward improvements", Neil Storey has just announced he is to seek "opportunites" elsewhere.<br /><br />I'll have a large fries with mine please NeilAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-19212482412865678422013-07-31T09:01:27.973+01:002013-07-31T09:01:27.973+01:00According to this Dr Harris chap, "Neil has b...According to this Dr Harris chap, "Neil has been a substantive board member only since last October. <br /><br />"During that short period of time he has helped develop our turnaround plan and started implementing actions to improve services to patients. <br /><br />"Neil has been driving forward improvements like working hard to get more staff and ambulances onto the front line."<br /><br />Funny that as I remember him completely failing to listen to staff prior to last October when they told him HIS plans were madness and would lead to chaos and suffering.<br /><br />Wake up Dr Harris. Either you're being very naive or you take us for naive fools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-74556753240637009822013-07-30T22:21:10.652+01:002013-07-30T22:21:10.652+01:00Anyone know where we can sign this vote of no conf...Anyone know where we can sign this vote of no confidence in Neil Storey? There are a few of us, or should I say everyone I speak to want to sign it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-11471212113180239282013-07-02T12:56:06.165+01:002013-07-02T12:56:06.165+01:00Personally I think Neil Storey is far more culpabl...Personally I think Neil Storey is far more culpable than any of the non-execs who've resigned.<br /><br />He's the one who should shoulder the blame for deciding to drastically cut our DSAs when every member of staff was telling him it was the wrong thing to do. Can't believe he's still here to be honest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-91518862494501064412013-06-26T22:29:25.682+01:002013-06-26T22:29:25.682+01:00Actually the figures given are appalling, at first...Actually the figures given are appalling, at first sight they don't look too bad because the times given are "averages". In this context averages are almost meaningless but when you are getting "average" backup times over 24 minutes for hot1 backups, 35mins for hot2 backups and "average" backups over 2hrs 23mins for other calls you know there is a terrible transportable resource problem someone is trying to conceal by supplying only "average" figures. Imagine how bad the "real" backup delay figures are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-64930909676529012142013-06-24T05:59:04.739+01:002013-06-24T05:59:04.739+01:00Who supplied Marsh with the bullshit average backu...Who supplied Marsh with the bullshit average backup figures (table, page 11), anyone believe those figures?<br /><br />Answer is on page 30 ("Average Back up times Tables Received from Neil Storey")<br /><br />Say no more!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-74020414114429867042013-06-22T23:56:16.921+01:002013-06-22T23:56:16.921+01:00I agree with your comment regarding the dig about ...I agree with your comment regarding the dig about "civilian staff wearing Officer Uniform whilst undertaking a Television interview when they are not a career Officer" having an "unforeseen adverse effect". This was totally out of place in a Governance Review, in fact placing the comment in the review will have a "foreseen adverse effect" (it makes Anthony Marsh look spiteful). "Handbags at dawn" anyone? <br /><br />On the "people in glass houses" theme Mr Marsh was awarded an "Honorary" Degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Wolverhampton in 2012 and it is rather frowned upon in academia (especially by "real" Doctors who have earned the title through academic work) to prefix the title "Doctor" to your name when it is an "Honorary" Doctorate. Most universities inform the recipient of this, apparently not the University of Wolverhampton. <br /><br />Regarding "Mr Storey being replaced by Rob Ashford", Mr Storey is also a friend of Mr Marsh, he was a senior manager under him in Essex.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-2580403469531245062013-06-12T15:56:09.730+01:002013-06-12T15:56:09.730+01:00A prediction -
Andrew Morgan, who's been swea...A prediction -<br /><br />Andrew Morgan, who's been sweating blood and tears trying to turn this sinking ship around, gets the boot to be replaced by Anthony Marsh (anyone else notice the dig about non-ambulance staff appearing on TV wearing ambulance uniform?)<br /><br />Mr Storey also gets the push, basically for not being very good at his job and is replaced by his "friend" Rob Ashford, who is a well known lapdog of Mr Marsh.<br /><br />Watch this space folks....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-12975073543145045452013-06-11T10:35:22.116+01:002013-06-11T10:35:22.116+01:00In response to a question about the use of untrain... In response to a question about the use of untrained private crews Neil Storey said; <br /><br />"However, they did not attend serious 999 calls without NHS back-up".<br /><br />What NHS back-up? I thought the reason for using private resources was because we don't have enough NHS ambulances. Even our own FRV's wait hours for backup so what NHS resource is available to back-up a private crew and when? Presumably they would have been sent because there wasn't an NHS resource, so good luck with that one!<br /><br /> Presumably Neil Storey will say "I don't see what the problem is" because that was his attitude when everyone was stunned by the cuts in DSA's in the rota changes. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-11677526473608152522013-06-04T12:50:53.692+01:002013-06-04T12:50:53.692+01:00Find yourself with at least 200 vacancies and havi...Find yourself with at least 200 vacancies and having to save £50million?<br /><br />Then why not offer nearly £100k to get rid of just 6 staff then immediately offer £500 "thank you" payments to anyone who can come up with names of potential replacements for those you just paid to go.<br /><br />https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/referral_thank_you_payments#outgoing-276566<br /><br />Wow! Just wow!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-37446805575136231782013-05-29T02:30:49.034+01:002013-05-29T02:30:49.034+01:00Don't count your chickens Charlie. Who intervi...Don't count your chickens Charlie. Who interviewed and appointed the new locality chiefs, GM's and AGM's with Mr Morgan? and who is on the "listening into action team? Also who was mates with Mr Marsh from West Midlands, the national ambulance advisor who reviewed the Trust for the government? Yes he has lost confidence of staff (if he ever had any) and his position is untenable, but it doesn't mean he will leave any time soon. <br /><br />I have heard there is a job going at Thames Ambulance though. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-18086655013617095322013-05-28T10:53:42.566+01:002013-05-28T10:53:42.566+01:00All these people leaving and receiving glowing tri...All these people leaving and receiving glowing tributes saying what a wonderful job they did. Get real....they have been disastrous when measured in patient care. the only true indicator of performance in this industry. The fact they've been turfed out encourages me that Andrew Morgan is a doer and not so full of bullshit as his predecessors. Neil Storey will be history and soon as the next gravy train comes chugging along and good riddance. Perhaps then we can get back to looking after patients and staff properly which all road staff have ever asked for.Charlie Chucklebrothernoreply@blogger.com