tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post9170752963238090703..comments2023-10-22T10:16:40.522+01:00Comments on The Broken Paramedic: Mission to Parliament: What Has Anthony Marsh Ever Done For Us?Mat Westhorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08553980835026556794noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-36081397528373987802015-10-19T20:18:28.071+01:002015-10-19T20:18:28.071+01:00WMAS bod here; You'd have got loads more sigs ...WMAS bod here; You'd have got loads more sigs on your petition if you'd have sent it round West Mids; We were hoping he'd stay away, the toxic, autocratic, nepotistic, egomaniac!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-90277803788767727272015-08-27T22:32:18.419+01:002015-08-27T22:32:18.419+01:00There have been some interesting developments with...There have been some interesting developments with a freedom of information request that EEAST has been avoiding for some time regarding Paul Leaman.<br /><br />https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/the_trust_taxpayers_having_to_pa#outgoing-472561<br /><br />If you recall Paul Leaman who is a close friend of Anthony Marsh was director of operations for Essex Ambulance Service and later made assistant chief ambulance officer for EEAST along with two other close friends of Anthony Marsh, this was in spite of the fact that he had previously been found guilty of misconduct by the HPC and suspended from the register for bullying and collusion to purchase ambulance supplies from a friend or relative. He was also made manager of an air ambulance charity by Marsh. Paul Leaman 'retired' from EEAST in October 2014 just before the CQC regulation of 'fit and proper person test' for directors came into operation in November 2014 and would have excluded anyone from such a position in the NHS if they had previously been found guilty of misconduct. The above freedom of information request specifically asked "does the Trust currently use any companies that employ Mr Leaman after he left last year?"<br /><br />The answer was;<br /><br />"We believe so, however this was not a factor in deciding to use any company that we work with".<br /><br />"We BELIEVE So" ? "Any company that we work with"? WTF sort of non-answer to a freedom of information request is that? Either they know or they don't, why are they skirting around the answer? I notice one of the jobs on Paul Leamans' Linkedin profile is Associate Director Operational Partnerships EEAST, hopefully this is referring to his old job and not an attempt to drive a coach and horses through the CQC fit and proper person regulations. There is a bad smell around all these 'jobs for the boys' and 'consultant' appointments. It's about time there was an investigation into the amount of public money that has been spent on all these 'mates' and the companies that these 'mates' work for. Also what is the relationship with the occupational health provider PAMs? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-60401704804545430042015-08-17T02:17:34.973+01:002015-08-17T02:17:34.973+01:00Sandy Brown. I faced that horrible excuse for a m...Sandy Brown. I faced that horrible excuse for a man down at an Employment Tribunal I was representing in. If he says good morning, check your watch, and look outside. There is a very good chance it is not morning, and he is lying.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-78613294834215941482015-08-14T14:36:13.195+01:002015-08-14T14:36:13.195+01:00Worrying isn't it, step back a few years and i...Worrying isn't it, step back a few years and it's a re-hash of Newton & Storey. We can look forward to more of the same old PR from managers saying "its going to be different this time".<br />Give up any hope of resolving the late finish problem, now we have a "trial" during which we can "volunteer" to make ourselves late off. It's going to be a very comptetive jobs market out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-89338700939980445132015-08-13T23:25:07.393+01:002015-08-13T23:25:07.393+01:00Hope everyone at EEAST is looking forward to their...Hope everyone at EEAST is looking forward to their new chief from the ambulance service chief exec merry-go-round, Robert Morton who resigned from the South Australian Ambulance Service in January after 18 months just prior to a "health shake-up report directly affecting the ambulance service".<br /><br /> http://m.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-ambulance-service-chief-executive-resigns-ahead-of-health-shake-up-report/story-fni6uo1m-1227199779672<br /><br />Before that he resigned from National Ambulance Service Ireland after 2 years at the helm.<br /><br />Interviewed when he took the job with SA Ambulance he said "he believed his experience leading change in the emergency services during the recession was a key reason he was approached for the role".<br /><br /> Let's see what he can do with no money or crews? <br /><br />"He said using “what we have in a smart way”, including treating more people at home and providing alternatives to taking everyone to hospital emergency departments was one way to end hospital ramping, where ambulances queue with non-urgent patients because EDs are full."<br /><br />Wait till he finds there are no 'alternate pathways' because of cuts to social care and we have no ECP's left to treat patients at home, paramedics are not trained or qualified to leave patients at home and most of us have not received any training for years.<br /><br />'Mr Morton also told the Echo he thought he was recruited for the SA job due to his style of leadership, track record of change management and the experience of coming from a difficult economic climate".<br /><br />A theme is emerging here.<br /><br />“I’ve got a lot of experience in terms of delivering change in the health service against a background of austerity, which is obviously something Australians are not used to or certainly haven’t been used to up to now,” he said.<br /><br />The most worrying bit for EEAST crews,<br /><br />“It’s fair to say in terms of the economy there are a number of challenges … and that’s going to mean we have to get better and smarter at how we manage our resources.”<br /><br />Oh no, it's Storey again, it can all be solved by working "better and smarter".<br /><br />Rant over! Those comments were made Mr Morton over 2 years ago when he joined SA Ambulance, hopefully he can do better now.<br /><br />Unless he can magic up some money for paramedics and training and somehow make EEAST a pleasant place to work I wont be cancelling my new job interview just yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-76192017970498605102015-08-10T20:42:11.552+01:002015-08-10T20:42:11.552+01:00Anthony Marsh has now left the building.
The new ...Anthony Marsh has now left the building.<br /><br />The new Interim is Sandy Brown - Ex-West Midlands under Marsh and Ex-Essex under....<br /><br />Yep Marsh!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-33330604884513469282015-08-07T13:30:12.617+01:002015-08-07T13:30:12.617+01:00Do you know if anyone other than Fraer actually co...Do you know if anyone other than Fraer actually collated the results?<br />My understanding is that Marsh gets others to do his dirty work or take the blame when something goes wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-22245542444717038892015-08-02T23:25:47.214+01:002015-08-02T23:25:47.214+01:00If you're going to quote figures please put th...If you're going to quote figures please put them into context by providing info such as how many staff trusted the board and their Locality Director. I think they came out far worse than trust in marsh. Once he goes then those board members will have free reign, then I feel we are doomed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-62515345938442499012015-08-02T22:51:28.723+01:002015-08-02T22:51:28.723+01:001500 people responded to a Unison survey asking wh...1500 people responded to a Unison survey asking which members of the Trust Board were trusted by staff.<br />Less than half that number signalled theit support for Marsh and that's despite Fraer campaigning on his behalf for months and her ( not the branch's) petition being pushed on here. <br />Take the hint and realise that maybe Marsh isn't that popular or perhaps people couldn't give a toss one way or the other if he stays or goes back to his other job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-57877294362838184832015-08-01T13:20:31.928+01:002015-08-01T13:20:31.928+01:00The negative comments re the petition are without ...The negative comments re the petition are without basis. There is a massive silent majority that won't sign anything or speak out for a multitude of reasons, the fact is that this petition is unprecedented. Numbers can be used to argue a case for anything, does a number of people leaving the trust, say 300 for example (I don't know the exact number) mean that the rest aren't in the process of looking or applying for jobs and are over the moon with the working conditions?<br />The negative comments are intended to provoke a response and to attempt to discredit, its a dirty war of words that is being played out in the media also which is more than likely intended to provoke public outcry.<br />Don't give up if you're prepared to speak out and improve your working conditions, don't be put off by the war of words, I suspect it will get far worse. <br />Fraer is fantastic, love her lots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-41610288543787852972015-08-01T00:45:09.194+01:002015-08-01T00:45:09.194+01:00I'm sensing some chips on shoulders behind the... I'm sensing some chips on shoulders behind the comments on this page. Agree with your comment, shameful! Rock on Fraer :-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-72092250218968649562015-08-01T00:34:02.910+01:002015-08-01T00:34:02.910+01:00Some of the comments on this page are shameful. We...Some of the comments on this page are shameful. Well done to Fraer and her branch committee that support her. We're a better place because of the work you do and looking at this page, it's not easy. Thank you Matt for your support of our trust. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-12295270019680577832015-07-31T14:26:58.214+01:002015-07-31T14:26:58.214+01:00I thought the trip to Parliament was Fraer demonst...I thought the trip to Parliament was Fraer demonstrating that less than 20% of the workforce had signed a petition wanting Dr Marsh to stay (although obviously not all those signatories might actually work for us).<br />Was that mission signed off by the branch?<br /><br />Anyway, it sounds like they have identified a successor so we'll have to wait and see. <br />Personally I don't want Unison to metaphorically get too cosy in bed with any CEO. <br />It's never healthy as you're sure exactly where they've been, what they've been up to or whether they've been cheating on you behind your back. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-70756152800242400022015-07-28T14:42:13.856+01:002015-07-28T14:42:13.856+01:00Some of these comments are really worrying.
Why...Some of these comments are really worrying. <br /><br />Why are there so many personal comments about Fraer? The trip to Parliament and the campaign about reducing late finishes were both signed off by the whole Branch Committee. From the pictures there were at last 3 other Branch Officers present - the Essex County lead, Norfolk County Lead and Health and Safety Officer. The trip to Parliament meant that the branch engaged direct with 5 local MPs (3 x Labour, 1 x Lib Dem, 1 x Conservative). Isnt this exactly what a union should be doing? Identifying issues that have a negative impact on members' work and trying to do something about it? <br /><br />The issue around late finishes is tricky and is about balancing patient risk and staff welfare. Surely the biggest threat to patient safety in any ambulance trust is not having enough staff in the right vehicles in the right places. Staff turnover rates have rocketed at EEAST this calendar year - and more experienced EMTs and Paras have left than ever before. The 100s of new staff recruited cant keep up with the exodus. Im glad the union is trying to do something about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-24612140792872641272015-07-28T10:11:46.980+01:002015-07-28T10:11:46.980+01:00Should be "June 2015"Should be "June 2015"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-1476360725617440952015-07-28T10:09:03.233+01:002015-07-28T10:09:03.233+01:00What on earth makes you think the Trust (with or w...What on earth makes you think the Trust (with or without Anthony Marsh) actually give a toss about the welfare of their staff?<br />Anthony Marsh may "support" Unison's proposals over late finishes but he hasn't done anything about implementing it and almost certainly never will.<br /><br />I don't know about you but late finishes aren't my "number 1 stressor". <br />My number 1 stressor is the fact that I (like virtually every other person I know) is hammered all day, every day and with little chance at all to try and have some downtime in between jobs.<br /><br />Why doesn't Marsh get rid of the incredibly expensive HALOs that would be far better off being on the road and helping their colleagues / patients rather than following staff round A&Es like some creepy stalkers?<br /><br />Also, where is the actual benefit of these "hundreds" of extra staff and vehicles Marsh and his propaganda team keep telling the media and MPs about?<br />I don't know not what it is like in your area but we seem just as busy and if anything, performance is worse lately than it ever has been.<br /><br />That's not success by Marsh, that's a bloody failure especially when you consider the millions of extra funding he was given. Will that same money be available next year and the one after that because if it isn't, the changes he has introduced will prove to be unsustainable?<br /><br />If he had any sense, he would realise that June 2016 was as high as performance was going to get and that this was the time to walk away before it really goes down the pan. That way he could smugly sit back and tut loudly to himself when the new person came in and was made to look a relative failure.<br />He should also realise that for whatever reason, his Board don't seem to want him.<br /><br />Marsh has always got his eye on the next thing and although he may want to try and improve things here, I still believe his number one priority is doing so in the hope of enhancing his own reputation.<br />I think the real reason he doesn't want to go yet is because he knows he hasn't been the wild success he hoped to be (and that no doubt he was telling everyone else he was going to be).<br /><br />I have no idea who might come in and they may well be worse from a staff morale point of view but at the moment, none of us know that and neither does Fraer Stevenson.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-69584754737533358802015-07-28T09:49:02.114+01:002015-07-28T09:49:02.114+01:00To (@22.32) You'd be better off leaving and le...To (@22.32) You'd be better off leaving and letting someone who would give a toss about his or her patients join and have a go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-31866977465200971302015-07-27T22:32:00.065+01:002015-07-27T22:32:00.065+01:00Then with your vast experience you should know bet...Then with your vast experience you should know better. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-90824383294736885662015-07-27T22:23:54.658+01:002015-07-27T22:23:54.658+01:00I'm not suggesting or advocating 8 hour shifts...I'm not suggesting or advocating 8 hour shifts. I did those over 20 years ago and know that it feels like you never seem to get any proper time off.<br />I'm just stating that if we keep banging on about 12 hours and how tiring they are, then the "logical" response from others will be "Well work shorter shift then".<br /><br />You can see that can't you?<br /><br />If working conditions are "illegal", what are Unison doing about that?<br /><br />As for naming all the other Trusts that pay Band 6 for Paras, I honestly don't know who else does it. You seem to be suggesting you know but can't be bothered to share that knowledge.<br />Please educate us all as to who else pays these rates.<br /><br />Only an idiot would think I don't want us to get as a high a banding as possible. I just don't think it is financially sustainable going forward. I also think Marsh knows that but doesn't give a shit as he won't have to deal with the aftermath when / if the plug does get pulled on the scheme.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-80633132523905708742015-07-27T22:03:29.135+01:002015-07-27T22:03:29.135+01:00What "terminology" is wrong?
I have we...What "terminology" is wrong? <br /><br />I have well over 20 years service and all working on DSAs or RRVs.<br /><br />So I'm wrong because I think it's unacceptable to push through proposals that could leave Red2 calls uncovered when there is a resource available? <br /><br />If you think it is okay to sit on station knowing someone's having an MI or stroke just round the corner then you're in the wrong job. It's not my fault you seem an uncaring selfish individual who I doubt has got more than 10 years experience. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-74694859328863896372015-07-27T20:26:19.599+01:002015-07-27T20:26:19.599+01:00In response to the OP 26/7/15 @11.45.
In contrast ...In response to the OP 26/7/15 @11.45.<br />In contrast to the above which should provide the answers to your questions, your post lacks insight regarding front line A&E work. You have obviously gained some informaton but don't know the full story. The terminology is completley wrong for anyone that has any involvement as a clinician. Anthony Marsh reduced back room staff for all the right reasons and has worked with Fraer to improve the conditions of frontline staff and therefore the service we provide to our patients. There is still some way to go though and the only way for the job to be seen through to completion is for Marsh to stay. When looking why we continue to have problems look no further than managers that have empowered other managers / staff of what is in essence a call centre (EOC) to influence the day to day running of the trust rather than simply dispatching the vehicles.<br />What I am "uncomfortable" with is that uninformed people make sweeping statements about working conditions. What do you propose to do with all the new intake of staff that have a projected career life span of 5 - 7 years before they burn out due to the late finishes and exessive work load?. Getting rid of Marsh is not the answer to that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-80305192964114661702015-07-27T15:46:47.186+01:002015-07-27T15:46:47.186+01:00Anonymous @ 26 July 2015 at 22:40 and 27 July 2015...Anonymous @ 26 July 2015 at 22:40 and 27 July 2015 at 08:18<br /><br />How about I reduce your salary, so you would argue "I am not proposing I would be making your conditions worse"? More people leaving, less joining and more missed breaks/late finishes would not be making your conditions worse? Most staff are "uncomfortable" in fact very distressed that some very ill patients currently are not getting a DSA at any time of day or night because of lack of staff because current working conditions (including bullying and condescending sickness reviews) are not attracting staff to stay or join. Improving working conditions is a priority. How often do you think it occurs that someone is sitting around able to attend a call at the end of their shift at the moment? Making conditions worse will only reduce the number available and result in longer delays anytime.<br /><br />As for other Trusts with Paras in band 6 or indeed Techs in band 5, you can easily look that up yourself, for example it took me less than a minute to find that YAS (not even a high cost area) have Ambulance Practitioner Specialist (Techs) in band 5 and Ambulance Practitioner Advanced and Senior Paramedic (I don't think they call them 'senior' because they are older!) in band 6. Most of the Trusts term band 6 paramedics as Senior Paramedics. No I'm not going to list them all.<br /><br />CCPs and ECPs should be at least in band 7. A lot of the ECPs have already left to earn far more money in urgent care anyway.<br /><br />The illegal working conditions I refer to are mainly referring to health and safety breaches but causing ill health, injury, stress (and then not reporting it under RIDDOR so your statistics don't look bad) and treating your workers as little more than slaves because you are an emergency service and bullying and corrupt disciplinary processes as far as I know are illegal and certainly grounds to win a case for constructive dismissal at employment tribunal.<br /><br />Your later suggestion of 8 hour shifts would also cause longer waits as you will require 3 breaks over a 24 hour period (another half hour unavailable) instead of the current 2 breaks for 12 hour shifts. Also you add another shift change period in 24 hours resulting in even more downtime during change over and crews returning for shift finish. The suggestion of 8 hour shifts is often made by you managers during negotiations as a scare tactic but in reality it scares you more due to the reduced cover it would cause. <br /><br />It was not my reply to you @27 July 2015 at 08:18 but I agree with what is stated.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-51363424035120792372015-07-27T10:08:27.239+01:002015-07-27T10:08:27.239+01:00My first comment didnt post for some reason.
Get h...My first comment didnt post for some reason.<br />Get him out!!!<br /><br />What has he actually done for the trust?? Nothing apart from promote his friends and put people in roles that he has made up to surround him with 'Yes' men!<br /><br />The front line staff do great work, and his answer to keep them quiet is promote them to band 5 EMTs and band 6 Paras - not actually sorting out the issue but instead trying to keep the noise down. None of which has been costed and can be afforded by the trust. Oh and his answer to that - Reduce back office?! When a benchmarking review shows EEAST to be one of the most efficient and low cost support services (except that of his now personal communications team that is ever growing!!) <br /><br />He just pushed his won ideas through and listens to no one he is a bully. He gets his buddies / Essex boys / Asst Chief officers (all of which are the same people!) to do his dirty work so he looks like the wonderful Dr Marsh?!<br /><br />Get him out!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-82059919951845190012015-07-27T10:02:05.533+01:002015-07-27T10:02:05.533+01:00I forgot to also add, if he is working for the sta...I forgot to also add, if he is working for the staff and looking out for them, why did he push through a new lease car policy for management with no consultation so that it was for the benefit of management............go from one policy where it sees managers pair a fair contribution to their blue light personal lease vehicle to one where they pay little or no contribution for a top of the range BMW, Mercedes, Audi or range rover??<br />This is a man that is directing all available resources to front line?? I think not!! And I know for the fact that this was something Anthony personally put on the table and enforced its adoption in a very quick turnaround!!<br /><br />Do a FOI on the managers cars.............Its sounds like a millionaires car showroom!! And next ask how much they personally contribute.......pennies!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573632931588970083.post-75361189692420710362015-07-27T08:18:50.339+01:002015-07-27T08:18:50.339+01:00I did ask questions but note you didn't provid...I did ask questions but note you didn't provide any answers.<br />Again, what are these "illegal" working conditions you refer to?<br /><br />I can assure you that I am definitely not management or HEOC staff. Sorry for feeling "uncomfortable" about very ill patients not getting a DSA or RRV for over an hour because they happened to have their heart attack at the wrong time of day. I would also feel uncomfortable about being the clinician who has to go to that patient and apologise about the avoidable delay.<br /><br />The simple "solution" from management, MPs and the press could be "Why don't you do 8 hour shifts instead if you're that knackered after 12?"<br /><br />I'm just stunned that they haven't pressed that and as someone who has worked those in the past, a reintroduction of 8 hours would be a nightmare but one that is hard to argue against if you keep saying how tired you after 12.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com