NHSE’s ambulance lead joins trust board

Marc Thomas, who is the national lead for ambulances, NHS 111 and urgent treatment centres in his role as director of out-of-hospital urgent and emergency care, will join Yorkshire Ambulance Service Trust in the spring.

In a message to Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff on his appointment, Mr Thomas said: “I am very excited to be joining YAS at what feels like a pivotal point for ambulance services. Through my national work, I am already aware of some of your amazing work and look forward to building on that after years of unprecedented pressure.”

YAS interim chief executive Peter Reading said: “This new role will play an important part in the trust’s new operating model, adding senior capacity and capability at board and executive level and providing essential support to me and the chief executive role. The role also encompasses responsibility for strategy, planning and performance; corporate services; communications and community engagement and ICT.”

Mr Thomas has also worked as director of policy for emergency and elective care at NHSE and NHS Improvement, and director of hospital hubs for the covid vaccination programme. Recently he has been seconded part-time to York and North Yorkshire’s place team – part of the local integrated care board – to work on integrated urgent care in that area.

The role of deputy chief executive was advertised over the summer but YAS is also currently advertising for a permanent chief executive, with the closing date for applications later this month.

YAS has seen substantial leadership turnover this year, with a new chair, Martin Havenhand, taking over in the spring, and Rod Barnes departing as substantive CEO shortly afterwards. Mr Reading is the interim CEO after being seconded to the service for up to 12 months until the end of May 2024.