MPs support ambulance Chief Executive following 'great strides forward'
Tuesday, 11 February, 2014
The Chief Executive of the region’s ambulance service has today (February 11) met with members of parliament (MPs) to discuss planned service improvements and report on his achievements so far.
The meetings mark six weeks of Dr Anthony Marsh being at the helm of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and MPs were pleased to hear how he has already taken great strides in moving the Trust forward.
“It was incredibly beneficial to meet with east of England MPs today, to hear their views about the service in their area and to assure them that progress and actions are already underway. The MPs were very supportive of the Trust and the actions we are taking and it is reassuring to know we are all working together to turn this into a high performing ambulance service,” said Dr Marsh following the meetings at Westminster.
Reflecting on his first few weeks in charge, Dr Marsh added: “My immediate priority is to reduce long ambulance delays. One of the main reasons for the delays is that we don't have enough paramedics so I’ve launched a programme to recruit 400 student paramedics. We’re staggered to have received more than 2,500 applications already – and recruitment is still on-going.”
As well as bringing in new staff, Dr Marsh has been focusing on opening up career opportunities for frontline staff. Courses are in progress to upskill emergency care assistants (ECAs) into emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and in April, the next EMT to paramedic course will begin.
In addition an ambulance replacement programme is being brought forward alongside a medical equipment replacement programme to ensure staff have the best possible ambulances and equipment to care for patients.
Dr Marsh concluded: "Turning around this ambulance service is going to take time but the actions we are taking right now will better support our staff to improve services to patients."
The ambulance service is still advertising for student paramedics, as well as for qualified paramedics and EMTs. To find out more or to apply, visit www.jobs.nhs.uk
To stay up to date with all the developments at EEAST, visit the website (www.eastamb.nhs.uk), follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/eastenglandamb) or like them on Facebook (www.facebook.cpm/eastenglandamb).
The Chief Executive of the region’s ambulance service has today (February 11) met with members of parliament (MPs) to discuss planned service improvements and report on his achievements so far.
The meetings mark six weeks of Dr Anthony Marsh being at the helm of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and MPs were pleased to hear how he has already taken great strides in moving the Trust forward.
“It was incredibly beneficial to meet with east of England MPs today, to hear their views about the service in their area and to assure them that progress and actions are already underway. The MPs were very supportive of the Trust and the actions we are taking and it is reassuring to know we are all working together to turn this into a high performing ambulance service,” said Dr Marsh following the meetings at Westminster.
Reflecting on his first few weeks in charge, Dr Marsh added: “My immediate priority is to reduce long ambulance delays. One of the main reasons for the delays is that we don't have enough paramedics so I’ve launched a programme to recruit 400 student paramedics. We’re staggered to have received more than 2,500 applications already – and recruitment is still on-going.”
As well as bringing in new staff, Dr Marsh has been focusing on opening up career opportunities for frontline staff. Courses are in progress to upskill emergency care assistants (ECAs) into emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and in April, the next EMT to paramedic course will begin.
In addition an ambulance replacement programme is being brought forward alongside a medical equipment replacement programme to ensure staff have the best possible ambulances and equipment to care for patients.
Dr Marsh concluded: "Turning around this ambulance service is going to take time but the actions we are taking right now will better support our staff to improve services to patients."
The ambulance service is still advertising for student paramedics, as well as for qualified paramedics and EMTs. To find out more or to apply, visit www.jobs.nhs.uk
To stay up to date with all the developments at EEAST, visit the website (www.eastamb.nhs.uk), follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/eastenglandamb) or like them on Facebook (www.facebook.cpm/eastenglandamb).