A FAILING ambulance service has appointed a new chief executive.

Anthony Marsh, who conducted a scathing review of the trust earlier this year, will take up the role with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, from January 1, 2014.

During the review, in March, he said patients were being left waiting for ambulances for too long.

Mr Marsh is already chief executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service Foundation Trust.

He will combine both roles and is expected to work at least four days a week at the East of England Ambulance Service, which covers six counties, including Essex.

Mr 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.”

He added: “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 Geoffrey Harris OBE, trust chairman, 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.”