Essex MP’s met with Tom Abell, Chief Executive at the East of England Ambulance Trust (EEAST), in Westminster to sort out the ambulance waiting times which have caused major disruption across Essex. Rebecca Harris attended the meeting along with fellow Essex MPs Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, Mark Francois (Rayleigh & Wickford), and John Whittingdale (Maldon).

They had a productive and wide-ranging discussion about what can be done to reduce the ambulance waiting times which have been causing significant delays since Christmas.  There will be 13 additional ambulances serving the South Essex area; this comes in conjunction with 5 out of the 11 members of the executive team being replaced to create a new positive and more productive working culture and the recruitment of 111 additional staff to meet the needs of the South Essex area. The MP’s also secured a commitment from EEAST to provide 2 crews who will work in an expanded A&E department at Southend University Hospital.

Following the meeting, Rebecca commented:  

“I was impressed when I first met the new Chief Executive Mr Abell at the Canvey Island ambulance station, he was prepared to get out the office and listen to the public and the staff on the front line. I’m was very encouraged by this recent meeting that he is taking active steps to improve the service for all our residents.”