The South Western Ambulance Service Trust  is proudly forging ahead with it's introducion the new grade of operational ambulance staff—Emergency Support Worker (or, to give the new title it's slightly awkward acronym: E.C.S.W.).

 The ECA grade is part of what has become known as "The Bradley report", a nationally recommended package of changes to ambulance care services. Initially, the branch objected to the skill grading of the new role. The branch is keen to offer support to those members who undertake the ECSW training. We also want to see better opportunities (with pay to match) for ACA’s to progress to, and we want to ensure that our Paramedics are well supported by clinically qualified staff.

Most importantly, though, we do not want to see the quality of patient care offered as a crew reduced.   

But with the trust forging ahead, UNISON branch secretary Ian Hopkins has been cautiously working with the trust to try and shape the introduction of the new role during its inevitable introduction. The branch has had some influence in shaping the ECSW development so far, and are proud to say that we are helping to raise the standards of the grade nationally, through the involvement that the branch has had within the southwest.

Now, as part of both local and national consultation, the branch executive is seeking the views of members on the issue of ECSW's, to feed back to national level. We are trying to package together a comprehensive response, based on the views and experience of our members.

As a member, do you support or object to the idea?

If you object, can you state specific, constructive reasons why?

 

SOME USEFUL LINKS

Feedback is vitally important. Please speak to your nearest UNISON steward/rep, your sector secratary, or you can email your views HERE, and they will be forwarded on.

Following discussions at the National Ambulance Partnership Forum a resource pack has been constructed, to assist in the consultation process with staff and their
representatives. It can be viewed in pdf format by clicking HERE

In addition, our colleagues in The East of England Ambulance branch of UNISON are inviting our members to visit their online forum on this topic. To do this, click on the link below: