Update to Members – New Clinical Decision-Making and Conveyance Process

Update to Members – New Clinical Decision-Making and Conveyance Process

Following the implementation of the new clinical decision-making and patient conveyance processes this week, UNISON met with the Senior Leadership Team within the Quality Directorate to raise the significant concerns being reported by members.

During this meeting, we sought assurances and explanations around the rationale for the changes, the process followed prior to implementation, and the operational and clinical impact on staff and patients.

Unfortunately, we were not reassured by the responses provided.

UNISON remains deeply concerned that these changes were introduced without meaningful engagement with Trade Unions, without sufficient communication or support for staff, and without the level of scrutiny and governance we would expect for changes of this scale.

The concerns consistently being raised by members include:

The process and flow charts are overly complex and difficult to follow operationally.
The changes undermine the professional autonomy of Paramedics.
There is increased pressure being placed on SPs, Clinical Hubs, DCs, and Control Room staff.
There is a risk of increased hospital conveyance and longer on-scene times while crews await clinical responses.
Staff do not feel adequately trained, briefed, or supported following implementation.

We also remain concerned about the wider impact these changes may have on staff wellbeing and morale at a time when many colleagues are already feeling under significant pressure.

As a result of the meeting and the lack of satisfactory assurances received, UNISON will now formally write to the Chief Executive requesting that the Trust rolls back to the processes and procedures that were in place on Tuesday, prior to the implementation of the new arrangements.

We believe this rollback should remain in place until EMAS’s policies and procedures relating to substantial change have been properly followed, full impact assessments have been completed, and meaningful consultation and engagement with Trade Unions has taken place.

UNISON will continue to represent members’ concerns robustly and will keep you updated on any further developments.

If you have concerns or examples of how these changes are affecting you or patient care, please continue to raise them with your local UNISON representative.

In solidarity,

UNISON EMAS