Ambulance service appoints new Chief Executive

The NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) has today confirmed that Dr Anthony Marsh will become Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) from January 1, 2014.  

Over the last year, the Trust has made progress in identifying the depth of the challenges and issues facing the service, putting in place a plan to deliver changes and improve services to patients.

Dr Marsh, who is currently Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (WMAS), is being brought in to accelerate improvement in service delivery and performance and build on the foundations for long term sustainability. He will combine his new role on secondment to EEAST whilst continuing to be in charge of WMAS.

Dr Geoffrey Harris OBE, Chair of the Trust, said: “This is an important step forward for the Trust as we focus on transforming the ambulance service.  I am pleased that we have been able to bring in such an experienced Chief Executive.

“Transforming our ambulance service is going to take time, but we have made a start. We are making changes and seeing early signs of improvement. Anthony will undoubtedly help us build on and accelerate this work.”

Anthony Marsh said: “I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity to work with the staff in the East of England Ambulance Service.  During my review I met many of the ambulance crews, control room staff as well as those who work in the support functions.  The overwhelming message I got from them was wanting to make the service better for patients.

“I am absolutely determined to work with the staff to continue the improvements that have been started and take them to the next level.

“During my 26-year ambulance service career, I have worked in many ambulance services around the country and together with the review that I undertook, I know many of the issues that we face going forward.  Whilst it will not be easy, I have every confidence that with the support of the staff, we can really make a difference to the care that we provide to patients.”

Dr Marsh will be working four days a week at EEAST.