Community Engagement Group (CEG) Report - February 2026

Meeting: Trust Board – Public Meeting

Date: 11 February 2026

Report Title: Community Engagement Group (CEG) Report

Agenda Item: PUB26/02/2.3

Author: Laura Mann, interim Head of Patient Experience (based on input from and reviewed by CEG)

Lead Director: Simon Chase, Chief Paramedic & Director of Quality

Purpose:

Link to Strategic Risk:

Equality Impact Assessment: |No negative impact identified|

Previously considered by: This is a standing public board paper. This paper has been prepared by Laura Mann, Head of Patient Experience (interim), with input from and review by the CEG.

Purpose: To update the Board around the work of the Community Engagement Group (CEG), provide insight into emerging themes and trends from internal and public engagement, and to share the CEG’s perspectives as patient and public representatives.

Introduction / Background:

During Quarter 3, the Community Engagement Group (CEG) progressed work on three strategic priorities, with dedicated working groups now established for each area:

Youth Engagement and Recruitment - Gathering feedback from younger age groups to understand reasons for lower patient satisfaction, improving engagement methods, and increasing CEG membership among younger people. This project group is now established and currently in Phase One, with set aims and objectives to be reviewed in February.

Patient Representative Walkabout Audits - Developing and implementing audits to identify and address issues linked to CQC findings, ensuring impartiality and constructive feedback. This is a CQC based audit, with a view to improving our CQC readiness. On example of this work is following completion of Luton Station building works, the CEG will conduct a draft audit with a view to providing feedback to the Associate Director of Clinical Quality and Regulatory Assurance. Once the audit questions have been agreed, this will be rolled out to all members of the working group.

‘Bystander Engagement’ Public and Crew Education Project - Improving public understanding of how to support patients and EEAST, whilst strengthening EEAST’s ability to engage and support bystanders through educational resources and campaigns. This project group aims to increase awareness across all age groups and communities, and improve:

• Post event welfare support and recognition/appreciation for bystanders who assist Trust responders at incidents.
• Public understanding of the importance of staying safe and well to reduce the need for emergency treatment.
• Public awareness of non-emergency alternatives to 999, and, where an ambulance is required, understanding how to call, what to do while waiting, and basic lifesaving skills such as CPR.
• Promotion of the introduction and effective use of public access defibrillators in communities.

The project group is now well established, with set aims and objectives to be reviewed at the end of February.

In addition to the above priorities, ongoing engagement activities have included community liaison and engagement, collaboration with partner organisations and networks, and efforts to improve diversity and geographical coverage of CEG membership. During Q3, two new CEG members were recruited, with interest and enquiries regarding membership of the CEG increasing steadily each month.

Internal Representation CEG members have continued to interface and participate in internal governance meetings, including the Patient Experience and Safety Group, and maintained representation at the Quality Governance Committee, the Voluntary Advisory Forum, and the Research Involvement Group. Representation at the People Committee has also been recently agreed, further strengthening the patient voice within workforce related decisions.

CEG members have continued to attend public Board meetings, with a quarterly Board report detailing CEG activity. Board representation is now approaching its second-year anniversary, marking a significant cultural shift toward embedding patient representation throughout the organisation.

In addition, during Q3, the CEG have remained actively involved in complaint reviews, supported stakeholder interview panels for the interim Head of Patient Experience, and contributed to the recruitment process for new CEG members.

Board Development and Strategic Initiatives The CEG have proactively contributed to Board development sessions between October and December 2025.

• The first Board development session, facilitated by the CEO of the Patient Association, focused on embedding the patient voice within the organisation. This led to the creation of a Patient Voice Task and Finish Group and the co-design of a Patient Voice Framework, which will be trialled through the Patient Plan and ongoing health inequalities work. CEG members are actively involved in both the Task and Finish Group and the co-production of the Patient Voice Framework, ensuring patient representation is embedded throughout.
• The second Board development session focused on developing a health inequalities plan and improving engagement with seldom-heard patient groups. The CEG will continue to be actively involved in this work as it progresses.
• The third Board development session focussed on addressing ‘cultural change’ within the organisation and the need for deeper understanding and active listening of how to break down barriers, increase dialogue, visibility and support for staff. The CEG will continue to support the Board and contribute to further developments as requested.

External Engagement During Q3, CEG engagement included winter safety sessions for older communities, CPR and AED demonstrations/AED donation presentations at local events, and participation in remembrance ceremonies. Members also engaged with Patient Involvement Groups, Service User Groups and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) ahead of restructuring plans for the new regional ICB clusters from April 2026 to understand the impacts this might have on patients and EEAST as service providers.

Additionally, one CEG member provided developmental feedback on the impact of research initiatives (NIHR funded project) regarding rehabilitation for musculoskeletal patients in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. This explored the impact of head injury and disability on patients and families, advocating for collaborative care and listening to patient voices, including what impacts this might have on ambulance staff with patients they are likely to encounter.

The CEG are currently embarking on exploring digital engagement opportunities, including the use of virtual platforms, to attract and reach younger and seldom-heard groups and to promote the Trust.

Outcomes Since Last Board Meeting

• Additional recruitment of volunteers across the organisation – improved diversity and representation.
• Increased public awareness of first aid and potential outcomes when calling 999.
• CEG involvement in the establishment of the Patient Voice Task and Finish Group and development of the Patient Voice Framework.
• Improved visibility – CEG now has representation within the People Committee.
• Continued championing of the patient voice through internal committees, recruitment processes, and research initiatives - both internally and externally through Patient Research Engagement networks.

Key Issues / Risks:

The CEG three priorities and working groups will continue to remain the focus for the year ahead, alongside ongoing engagement with PPI activities, ICBs, Patient Forums and research initiatives across the region.

CEG recruitment will continue to focus on increasing the diversity and regional coverage.

Additionally, the CEG are in the early stages5 of discussion to support an initiative for EEAST to become an accredited Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. This will focus on volunteering opportunities for young people aged 14-25 years.

Risks and challenges include sustaining recruitment momentum, resource constraints for wider engagement activities and ensuring consistent operational awareness of EEAST. Mitigation will include targeted recruitment campaigns, leveraging digital platforms and improved internal communications.

Options:

Embedding Patient Voice in Strategic Work The CEG are actively involved in the Patient Voice Task and Finish Group and co-production of the Patient Voice Framework. Consideration needs to be given to how CEG involvement can be supported and strengthened as these initiatives progress, ensuring their input remains sustained and impactful.

Health Inequalities and EDI/Staff Network Collaboration Building on recent Board development sessions, the CEG are well positioned with membership expertise from international research background on health inequalities to contribute to the Trust’s health inequalities agenda and strengthen engagement with seldom heard groups. As this work continues, there needs to be a clear approach for collaboration with EDI teams and staff networks to maximise impact.

Operational Awareness and Support While Board level recognition of the CEG is strong, awareness at station level and wider Trust remains limited. This can create challenges for members during visits, particularly those without CFR status or uniform. Consideration needs to be given in relation to how information about the CEG’s role and projects can be cascaded consistently through operational and support teams.

Recruitment and Diversity Continued recruitment to essential to broaden the diversity and geographical reach of the CEG, strengthening representation and supporting future priorities.

Digital Engagement Consideration should be given to expanding digital engagement strategies to reach younger age ranges and seldom heard groups.

How does this report link with EEAST’s vision, purpose and values?

As trusted partners, ambassadors, and advocates for the Trust, the CEG play a vital role in driving positive change. Their work focuses on amplifying the patient voice, shaping improvements, and supporting the organisation’s commitment to delivering better outcomes and experiences for all patients and diverse communities across the region.

This report highlights their continued efforts to influence, be creative, to collaborate, and ensure that public perspectives remain at the heart of decision-making.

Summary:

The Community Engagement Group continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening connections with the public and service user organisations, alongside supporting the Trust through internal and wider patient and public engagement. The group remains focused on delivering meaningful representation and influence across its agreed priorities – youth engagement, walkabout audits and bystander education – while also contributing to additional strategic initiatives such as embedding the patient voice, cultural change, and addressing health inequalities.

To maximise impact, ongoing support is needed to raise awareness of the CEG’s role across operational teams and wider Trust, to strengthen feedback mechanisms, and to sustain recruitment efforts to broaden diversity and geographical reach. These actions will help embed patient perspectives at the heart of decision making and reinforce the Trust’s commitment to improving outcomes and experiences for all.