THE new boss at the ambulance service covering Maldon district has vowed to change the way employees at the trust treat each other.

Tom Abell has today (Monday, 2 August) taken up his post as chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST).

Mr Abell has joined EEAST from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, where he was deputy chief executive. He takes over the reins from deputy chief executive and medical director, Dr Tom Davis, who has led the service as interim chief executive since last September.

A damning inspection report last September revealed "poor leadership" at the service, leading to failures to protect staff and patients from potential sexual abuse and fostering an internal culture of bullying and harassment.

In the inspection which took place last June and July, EEAST was found by the Care and Quality Commission (CQC) to have failed to meet 12 aspects of its legal obligations.

The Chief Inspector of Hospitals recommended at the time that the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) should be placed in special measures.

Mr Abell has previously held a variety of senior roles across the region. This includes deputy chief executive and chief transformation officer at Mid Essex Hospitals, Southend University Hospital and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals.

He has also worked in commissioning and was director of service improvement at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

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Tom said: "I am honoured to have joined EEAST as chief executive and am proud to be working for the trust that serves my family and friends across the East of England. I am looking forward to working closely with our people, stakeholders and partners to further develop and improve the services we provide.

"I recognise that we have some major problems that we need to tackle – particularly how our people treat each other. We have too many examples of poor behaviour and it must be brought to an end. Let me formally underline my commitment to turn this around.

"We also need to keep working with our communities and partners to create a modern ambulance service which is fit for the 21st century. I look forward to continuing to build on the good work which is already underway.

"Although we have many challenges, including how we respond to the incredible demand we are seeing for our services, I truly believe we have the opportunity to make our own future. By working together with partners, we can be bolder and stronger."

Nicola Scrivings, Chair of EEAST, said: "I am delighted to welcome Tom to the Trust. With substantial NHS leadership experience in acute, mental health and commissioning, Tom brings a wealth of expertise to the position of CEO along with the experience and drive to deliver real improvements for our patients and staff."