The ambulance service’s newest director has spoken of his determination to keep patient care moving in the right direction.

Matt Broad has been appointed as locality director for Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and is tasked with running the 999 service in the three counties.

He has worked in the ambulance service for 17 years, beginning his career in London before a move to Suffolk where he was stationed at Newmarket.

Mr Broad said: “I know the area well because of my previous roles within the service and I’m pleased to have been given the opportunity to help move the service forward in these particular counties.

“We’ve already made great strides; recruiting hundreds of student paramedics and deploying more ambulances to the frontline, and I’m determined to ensure that the service continues to move in the right direction.”

Having qualified as a paramedic, Mr Broad moved into the training and education arena followed by the Essex clinical general manager role, and from March last year, the service’s general manager for Norfolk.

Chief executive Dr Anthony Marsh said: “I am delighted that Matt has been appointed to this role.

“His wealth of experience is pivotal to the role, as well as good understanding of the three counties and the different needs of the communities.

“I look forward to working with him as we make changes, better support staff and improve services to patients.”