The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has today appointed Rob Ashford as acting Director of Service Delivery.
Rob takes on this role having had 25 years ambulance experience with his most recent post being sector leader for Essex within EEAST. Rob started his career in Patient Transport Services in London. In 2005 he joined Essex Ambulance Service as general manager for West Essex. Following the merger of ambulance services, Rob was Chief Operating Officer for the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire area before moving to West Midlands Ambulance Service as Chief Operating Officer in 2008.
Dr Geoffrey Harris OBE, chair of the Trust said: “I am delighted that Rob Ashford has been appointed as acting Director of Service Delivery following a competitive recruitment process. The panel shortlisted five candidates, four of whom were external to the Trust. Rob brings extensive ambulance experience to this role and will help us build a stronger service to patients.”
In the meantime the Trust will be starting the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Commercial Services, Director of Service Delivery, Medical Director and Director of Patient Safety and Clinical Standards. It is expected the interview process will commence in early 2014.
Dr Harris continued, “Whilst we are launching the recruitment process for the permanent Executive positions, we envisage that the team we have in place will remain in post until Spring and help manage the organisation through the challenging winter pressures period.”
Rob Ashford said: “I am delighted to take on this role. I am passionate about delivering the best possible service to all our patients having worked in the ambulance service for many years. Ambulance staff do a fantastic job every day and I am focused on working with them to transform our services and put the pride back into working for our service.”
