THE chair of a life-saving emergency service board is moving on from her position after five years in the role.

Sarah Boulton has announced she will stand down as Chair of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust later this month on June 30.

The services’ veteran, who joined the trust back in March 2014 after serving as the Chair of NHS Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority for several years, has overseen a number of changes and to the trust since her appointment.

In a bid to modernise and transform the estate and invest in better vehicles and more staff, Sarah worked to secure additional funding and also oversaw the launch of what a new clinical hub.

Sarah also worked closely with health and social care colleagues during her five-year stint to try to better intergrate the trust within the wider span of the NHS.

Mrs Boulton said: “It has been a real pleasure and privilege to have served as the Chair of the Trust.

"I’d like to say a huge thank you to all staff, who do an incredible job every single day, and to our board of directors for all their support over the years.

“It has been a very difficult decision to step aside as we have a really fantastic group of people working at EEAST who are committed to doing their absolute best for our patients.

“We have made some really positive changes to the service over the past few years, and I’m confident that I am leaving EEAST in a strong position.

"I wish everyone at the Trust every success for the future.”

An interim chair of EEAST will now be appointed following Sarah’s departure while recruitment takes place for a permanent chair.

Mrs Boulton has worked at NHS board level for many years, chairing a number of NHS organisations.