Following publication of the report Daniel Zeichner MP said:

“I am sorry to hear the news that the East of England Ambulance Trust has been put into Special Measures but when safety is at stake then it is vital that urgent action is taken. This is a damning report about management at the Trust with serious concerns about safety of both patients and staff.

Patients must be the top priority, and people across Cambridge and the East of England will be feeling worried today. They will need reassurance that these problems are being dealt with. I welcome the fact that there will be a further investigation to check how the Trust is acting on the concerns and that they will be reporting progress regularly to the CQC.

We should not forget that this inspection was into the very specific issues around leadership and management and that the most recent general inspection praised the service overall for being caring and responsive. So, while it is abundantly clear that something is very wrong, hardworking frontline staff deserve our thanks and praise. I also know that those working for the service will understandably be worried that they are being blamed, when what they need is management to be helping them provide the best lifesaving services they can, and for their wider concerns including changes in shift and working patterns to be addressed.  The Trust has a troubled history and I hope this latest action will be a wake-up call to its management. “