THE COUNTY'S ambulance service has appointed a new temporary chief executive.

Andrew Morgan took up his role as interim head of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) on Monday.

Mr Morgan has worked in the NHS since 1982 and was previously chief executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney.

His appointment comes as the trust looks to make savings of £50m over the next five years.

He said: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the ambulance service for the next few months in what are very challenging times, with the number of people calling 999 increasing year on year.

"My task is to ensure the best possible service is delivered to patients, and I intend to spend a lot of my time speaking and listening to as many staff and local communities as possible to understand what they think and how we can improve the service together for patients."

Maria Ball, chair of the trust, said: "Andrew is a superb person to lead the trust whilst the next stage of the recruitment process is carried out. 

"The trust is entering an important time  as we work with new commissioners to agree how the service will be funded, what services will be provided to patients and to what standards."