SECAmb’s newly formed Shadow Board came together for its first review of Board papers meeting yesterday.

With digital, clinical and financial strategy discussed in its first formal meeting held in our Brighton Make Ready Centre on Wednesday, 6 August, Shadow Board members engaged with executive colleagues, offering their thoughts and views on three board papers.

There was lively discussion throughout the session that was led by co-chair Non-Executive Director, Karen Norman.

The Shadow Board made up of 14 colleagues from across the Trust were walked through the Trust’s digital strategy by our Chief Digital Officer, Nick Roberts.

The Shadow Board were supportive of suggested plans for the Trust’s digital infrastructure and were keen to understand more on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on improving patient virtual care.

Chief Paramedic Officer, Jaqualine Lindridge, then talked through the first Chief Paramedic report that was taken to the Trust Board.

Colleagues were receptive to the suggestion of a uniform recycling scheme to minimise waste and discussed how the introduction of local dispatch models had had noticeable positive impact on frontline colleagues.

Productivity and efficiency within the Trust were also key themes which stemmed from a discussion with Chief Finance Officer, Simon Bell.

The Shadow Board engaged in a thoughtful conversation around the importance of streamlining processes and ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients and staff.

Concluding the session, colleagues shared their reflections highlighting that they believed the Shadow Board was an insightful way to learn and help offer fresh perspectives to the Board.

Following the inaugural meeting, chair Karen said: “It was a privilege to chair the first Shadow Board review of Board papers. The Shadow Board members offered extremely valuable insights and raised important thoughts which encouraged many lively discussions across all topics reviewed. The positive atmosphere and shared learnings between all in attendance will be invaluable to helping us continue to improve SECAmb’s service to patients, our local communities and colleagues across the Trust.”

The thoughts and views raised in the Shadow Board meeting were shared during the Trust Board meeting today – Thursday, 7 August.