Ambulance medical director to retire

The medical director of the region's ambulance service has decided to retire in April.

It is the latest of several departures from the East of England Ambulance Trust, which was rated as weak for both finance and performance by the Healthcare Commission last autumn. Oskan Edwardson, the trust's director of operations, is already on secondment to the Department of Health. In December Rob Lawrence, chief operating officer for Suffolk, left to join an ambulance service in the United States. A year ago chief executive Chris Carney left for medical reasons, and was replaced by Hayden Newton.

John Scott, 62, told bosses last week that he would retire in April. His replacement has not yet been chosen.

He said: 'I want to spend more time on my academic work and to follow up on the educational activities I have been involved in over the last few years. It will also be an opportunity for me to get back to some hands on patient care practising pre hospital emergency medical care.'

Dr Scott has been with the East Anglian Ambulance Trust since 1997, when he became clinical director, and became medical director when the trusts merged in 2006. Previously he was a GP in Cambridge from 1976 to 1997.

Chief executive Hayden Newton said: 'Dr Scott has been the driving force behind the improvements in the treatment we give to patients. He has been instrumental in developing leading edge clinical practice for ambulance services. On behalf of the trust board I would like to thank Dr Scott for the hard work, dedication and commitment to patient care that he has shown over the last 11 years.'

Dr Scott's profile on the trust's website says: 'Self sufficiency in hen's eggs, bees' honey and trout, not to mention the occasional vegetable, leaves a little time to ensure the family horses have water-tight stables.'