12.11.18
Special-measures ambulance trust chief stands down
The chief executive of a struggling ambulance trust will leave the service next year to take up the same post in the north west.
Daren Mochrie, who joined South East Coast Ambulance Service Trust (SECAmb) in April 2017, announced today that he has taken the decision to leave the trust in spring 2019 to take up the post of CEO at the North West Ambulance Service instead.
While Mochrie argued that there “is still more to do” as a trust, he noted that significant steps forward have already been taken.
A report by the CQC last week raised the challenged trust’s rating to ‘requires improvement’ after inspection this summer. The trust has previously been rated as ‘inadequate’ at previous inspections of 2016 and 2017.
Mochrie said: “I am and will remain immensely proud of the real progress we have made at SECAmb during the past 18 months. I know that there is still more to do but as a trust we have already made significant steps forward and I know I will be leaving the trust with a strong leadership team who are committed to making this happen.
“I have not taken this decision lightly and have greatly enjoyed my time as chief executive of SECAmb. While the process to recruit my replacement is under way, I remain fully committed to SECAmb and look forward to working hard with my colleagues and the wider NHS on providing the best care possible to our patients.”
SECAmb chair David Astley said: “While I was disappointed to hear of Daren’s decision, I am pleased that he has the opportunity to further his career by leading North West Ambulance Service from next Spring and we wish him every success.
“The fact that Daren has been recruited to such a major role reflects the high regard in which he is held nationally and is testament to the improvements he and everyone at SECAmb has made since he joined the trust.”
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