Dear member,
UNISON met with the Trust Executive Group on Thursday 14 February 2013 to clarify certain issues raised by members around the 5 year A&E workforce plan.
The following issues were discussed and will hopefully answer many of our member’s outstanding questions.
Agenda for Change terms and conditions are guaranteed for 5 years starting from 1ST April 2013; individual members will receive a letter jointly signed by the CEO and Deputy CEO/Director of Workforce & Strategy reinforcing this agreement on behalf of the Trust.
The 5 years ‘marked time’ pay protection applies to all Band 4 A&E members affected by the changes, UNISON requested that the protection should start after 90 days from 4th Feb to ensure the predicted 1.0% national ‘cost of living’ pay rise, and any incremental increases, are included. The Trust is currently considering this.
UNISON advice is that all Band 4 A&E members affected by the changes should sign and return the change of role letter sent by the Trust.
UNISON believes AP overtime should be paid at the protected rate of pay and not at band 3, although it is in-line with the pay protection policy to do this. UNISON consider that it is unfair that a member’s rate of pay goes down when working overtime especially when much of it is enforced. The Trust is considering this issue and we will confirm the outcome of this as soon as possible.
AP to Paramedic conversion training will start in early 2014. The outline training package consists of a 1 year access course (if required) and an 18 month University led paramedic course, it is 18 months to ensure adequate supervised practice. The access course will be paid at Band 4 however APs will move up to Band 5 at the commencement of the 18 month Paramedic Course. Selection for the new course is due to commence between June and October 2013.
UNISON fully encourages AEMT members to undergo the paramedic training but acknowledges that some members can’t and simply will not apply; full support will be given to these members over the next 5 years, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions around this issue. Technician members are reminded that the role of Technician remains part of the A&E workforce for the full 5 years.
Any AP or technician who is unsuccessful in completing the paramedic training will remain on the same station and line as previous; this is to encourage APs and Technicians to take up the paramedic training and to reduce the pressure on individual members that are unable to complete the conversion course.
The current version of the scope of practice for the ECA role does not reflect the Job Description and Person Specification and Band for the role. The trust acknowledged the current version of the scope of practice was incorrect and a revised document will be issued to existing APs, A&E Support and ECAs next week.
ECA members cannot solo respond under any circumstance and this was an explicit statement by both UNISON and the CEO. The scope of practice will make clear that this is not part of the operation of the role.
It was also raised by UNISON that newly appointed ECA members were being put straight onto front line duties without any 3rd manning or real familiarisation of the vehicle, putting the ECA and the Paramedic/Technician working with them under unnecessary pressure. It was agreed by the Trust that current ECA members will receive greater local support from their clinical supervisor and some time for 3rd manning will be planned in. The next ECA cohort at training schools will have sufficient 3rd manning and familiarisation included in their initial training to prevent a recurrence of this.
Paramedics and Technicians also need to understand the new ECA role and will be able to access the ECA job description and scope of practice before they are expected to work with a new ECA. The Trust has committed to sharing this fully next week, once the Scope of Practice has been agreed with UNISON, this will be done via an Operational Alert and copies will be made available on all stations.
Training courses for existing A&E Support members to convert to ECAs are being planned in for the new financial year and dates for the courses will be published by the Trust as soon as the 2013/14 Training Plan has been agreed. It is hoped that this will be finalised by early March.
UNISON also raised concerns around the many part time staff who now work for the ambulance service and highlighted many cannot attend full time courses whether it is at university or a YAS course. It was agreed by the Trust that members will be given support to ensure they are not disadvantaged due to working part-time.
Certain A&E support members can argue that the ECA role and PTS are not suitable alternative employment so discussions are needed on a 1-1 basis to resolve their situation. The Trust acknowledged this issue and agreed to consider individuals on a case by case basis. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you wish to request a 1-1 with the Trust.
Technician members who wish to apply for retirement to aid the efficiency of the trust will be able to do so shortly. Expressions of interest will be invited from Technicians at the start of March and will remain open for 30 days. Once the expressions of interest have been received, the Trust will review each application on its merits and will respond to individual members to advise them of the outcome. Members need to be aware that decisions will be based upon affordability.
APs who are Band 4 emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) trained who wish to transfer back into their previous role of dispatchers will be eligible to do so. If you are EMD trained and don’t want to move into the new ECA role, please contact your line manager. They can then start the process to enable you to transfer back to EOC. Members moving into EOC will remain on Band 4 without pay protection being triggered
