THE region’s under-pressure ambulance service has named its new interim boss.

Dorothy Hosein is said to have a “wealth of experience” in the NHS and was described as a “wonderful choice” by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust.

Mrs Hosein takes over the reins from Robert Morton, who announced at the start of September he was stepping down after three years as chief executive.

He told staff he would be leaving the trust by the end of the financial year.

Major concerns were raised about the way the trust performed during an exceptionally busy period last winter.

An independent review showed there were 100,000 calls made to the trust in a one-month period between December and January.

The report said no deaths had been caused as the result of delays, but there were 47 patients whose cases were identified as potential issues, 22 declared as serious incidents and three people who suffered serious harm as a result of ambulances not arriving quickly enough.

The service also missed its seven-minute response time targets for the most urgent emergencies from March to July and was told it needed to improve by health watchdogs.

The latest Care Quality Commission report said handover times contributed to serious incidents and staff morale was low.

Mrs Hosein is making the move less than a year since she joined Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust as managing director.

She has extensive experience as a senior healthcare leader with private sector experience, and has delivered quality, performance and financial improvements at a range of hospitals, the most recent being Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, Norfolk.

East of England Ambulance Service Trust chairman Sarah Boulton said: “We’re really pleased we have been able to secure Dorothy until we’re able to find a permanent chief executive.

“Her wealth of experience at partner trusts in our region and outside makes her a fantastic choice as we work through the challenges that winter will bring, but also continue with the progress we’re all making in improved and compassionate care for patients.”