After a period of annual leave, Paul Phillips, the Chief Executive of East Midlands Ambulance service has retired.
Independent Health Service Adviser Professor Tamar Thompson has been appointed as the Trust’s Interim Chief Executive, with assistance one day per week from London Ambulance CEO Peter Bradley.
Paul has led the Trust under its regional ambulance service trust format from its inception in 2006. Paul was also Chief Executive from 2002 of the previous EMAS, which covered Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, having joined as Director of Operations in 2000.
“We are grateful to Paul for the many achievements he has led us to and for the tremendous amount of care we have delivered to patients during his time as Chief Executive,” said Trust Chairman Chris Faircliffe.
“It is a very intensive and challenging task to lead a 24/7 emergency organisation like ours. This is a well earned retirement and on behalf of the Trust I would like to thank Paul for all that he has done for EMAS.
“He has also made a major contribution at a national level for all ambulance services, for example in the key area of devising clinical standards. And so I would like to extend our best wishes to Paul for the future.”
Paul leaves in place sound structures for the next round of development that the Trust faces – namely to deliver the national performance targets, to deliver excellent services within the funding that is provided by its commissioners, and to achieve Foundation Trust status.
Paul Phillips said: “Whilst I am sad to leave EMAS, I feel that this is the right time for another person to address the challenges that lie ahead for the Trust.
“I have worked with wonderful colleagues and I have been privileged to be involved in the care of a great many people, often at their time of greatest need, which is where the service makes a real difference. The ambulance service is a unique environment and I am proud to have served within it for 36 years in a variety of roles, working in the West country, Somerset, Merseyside, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester Ambulance Services before I came to the East Midlands.”
Professor Tamar Thompson has been appointed as the Trust’s Interim Chief Executive and she will be working for three days per week over the coming months, commencing from 5th May 2011.
With a background in nursing, Tamar has a career which spans being Chief Executive to Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service, as well as being Interim Chief Operating Officer at the regional Great Western Ambulance Service from September 2008 into 2009. She has also been a PCT Chief Executive, held senior positions with the NHS Executive and a Strategic Health Authority, and served on the Prime Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery (from March 2009).
Now an independent health service adviser, Tamar is currently also spending two days per week with East Midlands Strategic Health Authority as Interim Director of Nursing and Patient Care.
The Trust has also been able to arrange for Peter Bradley, Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service as well as national ambulance advisor to the Department of Health –to spend one day each week at the Trust. Peter’s day will coincide with one of Tamar’s days at the Trust, and the Executive Team continues in place thereby ensuring continuity in what is going to be a vital transitional period for EMAS.
The Trust is advertising the substantive post this month with a view to interviewing and selecting in June/July 2011. Once any necessary notice period is factored in, it seems likely that the successful applicant may be in post around October time.
Deputy Chief Executive David Farrelly said today: “Any period of change at the top of an organisation can be unsettling for staff, and it is clear that we face major challenges on three key fronts – performance, finance and achieving Foundation Trust status. These challenges will touch upon everybody in the organisation without exception. What is important from this point on is how we each respond to these challenges.
“There is no reason why we should not regain our former position as one of the top ambulance trusts in the country, but it will require a major effort. Senior managers in the Trust will be working hard to involve in the changes we all need to make together, and we will do our best to ensure that are informed and involved in future developments as we take the Trust forward once more.”
