The most used phrase within the London Ambulance Service at the moment is ‘After The Olympics’ or, as we in the union are re-phrasing it for ease of reference: ‘ATO’!
You must have heard it or had it said to you! The phrase is used when anything is asked for that does not have any reference to the Olympics, or, may fall within the golden (pardon the pun) Olympic Period!
Everything, that has nothing to do with the Olympics, is on hold until After The Olympics!
It is like our Service is frozen in the glare of the Olympic Torch as the circus comes to town. I wonder what it will feel like when the circus leaves and we watch as the last tail-light disappears from view over the horizon?
One thing is for sure, we will be so busy with all the things we put off until ATO, that we may well hear another phrase; ‘After ‘After The Olympics’! AATO.
No one is to blame for this of course. If there is one Ambulance Service within the UK with the staff, skills and stature to deal with such an event, it is the LAS. We should be proud of that.
This is, however, the same Ambulance Service that the Coalition government is taking £50 million from and not really caring if it sinks or swims.
Business as usual?
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One thing that will happen ‘After The Olympics’ is that we will get a new Chief Executive.
The application period has ended and the process for appointment will start soon.
Wouldn’t it be great if all staff got copies of the application forms and CV’s of the candidates so we could vote on who we would like to lead the Service as Chief Executive?
The outcome of the vote would then be a component of the decision making factors by which the appointment panel makes their final choice.
Dream on! It isn’t going to happen.
But the CEO is such an important role, particularly at this time of cuts, austerity and Foundation Trust Status, that staff need to have confidence in whoever gets the nod. There is no second chance.
The wrong appointment, as we have seen in our history, will spell disaster. Staff and their trade union should be part of a shared agenda and vision, and not, as has happened in the past, be THE agenda for an incoming Chief, striving to make an impression with the Department of Health.
We are at a crossroad. Take the wrong turning now and all that we have built through trust, respect, honesty and hard work, will disappear and collapse, just as quickly as Partnership House opposite Waterloo Headquarters.
London is different from other regions. London Ambulance Service is different from other Services. Our Chief Executive needs to be different from other Chief Executives.
We shall see when he/she is chosen.
I really need to stop going through this sham of writing ‘he/she’! We all know it will be a ‘he’.Â
As different or as radical as we are, I believe even the London Ambulance Service is not that radical, or forward thinking, to appoint a female Chief Executive.
What a message it would send out though if we did! Why shouldn’t the LAS have a female Chief? Diverse capital city, diverse capital ambulance service.
Unfortunately, it is not only City boardrooms that have glass ceilings, we also have them. Obviously, because we are ambulance, they are tinted for modesty reasons!
I may be completely wrong of course (it’s been known!) but I don’t think my blog after the new Chief Executive is appointed will be headlined ‘Ambulance Belle’!
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Last Saturday, 7th July 2012, marked the seventh anniversary of the London Bombings (7/7). No matter how much time distances ourselves from that murderous atrocity, UNISON will never forget the part our members and staff of the London Ambulance played on that day.
We had great respect then, and have great respect now, for everyone who was involved. We showed why we are the number one ambulance service.
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Information of all issues can be found elsewhere on our website.
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We are stronger together.
Eric Roberts
Branch Secretary.
