North East Ambulance Service launch new internal communications platform

In August, we launched a new internal communications platform, Blink. As well as replacing Workplace, which Meta has retired, it brings more elements, flexibility and the ability to send more targeted messaging to groups of relevant staff.

The platform launched on 13 August with three days of engagement sessions with colleagues from communications, staff experience, estates and training helping to promote the platform across Trust sites and on the welfare car. The communications team is also continuing to work with managers to show how they can be in touch with their teams more easily and effectively and building virtual stations to allow crews to stay in touch with the people they work with the most.

Blink is built specifically to support communications across operational services like ours and will help us deliver real-time updates on what matters most to staff, including urgent service alerts, station-specific news, safety notices, and communications from teams and line managers. For colleagues on the road, in the EOC, at a station, or working remotely, Blink will help ensure they stay connected, supported, and informed.

Mark Cotton, assistant director of communications & engagement, said: “Blink is used by more than 40 ambulance services around the world and by many private and public transport providers in the UK; so, it is ideally set up to support colleagues working on the road or remotely to keep in touch with peers and managers.

“We had Workplace for five years and did not expect to get the chance on this project to start again. But this has given us an opportunity to take the best of what we already do and make changes to those parts that needed improvement.
“Blink is not a social media platform. It is a business communications tool which the Trust has committed to continue to support to improve our working lives.”