AN ambulance chief has today announced he is stepping down.

AN ambulance chief has today announced he is stepping down.

Dr Chris Carney, the chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service, is to retire on Thursdayfor medical reasons.

It follows back problems which have required surgery twice in the past 18 months.

After joining the former East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust in 2000, Dr Carney worked with a largely new executive team.

In 2006, he oversaw the merger and initial months of the new regional service which brought together East Anglia, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and Essex into the new East of England Ambulance Service.

He then developed back problems that caused his departure from active service in February last year.

During his career, he contributed nationally to the development of paramedic education and co-authored the first national clinical guidelines.

Dr Carney said: “I have had an unusual career, initially as a clinician and then on the other side of the table as a senior manager in ambulance services.

“I was drawn to the ambulance service by the 'can do' attitude of ambulance staff and their managers and have been continually impressed by the willingness of our staff to cope with continual changes, both clinically and in their working practices, to provide better care for patients and their carers. I am grateful for their comradeship and support over many years now and will miss them all greatly.”

Trust chairman Maria Ball said: “He has made a valued impact on clinical practice for paramedics at a national level and has a unique insight into emergency care, gained from his varied background.”

Hayden Newton will continue as interim chief executive until a successor has been appointed.