AMBULANCE bosses face significant challenges in relation to addressing staff morale, according to an independent examination of leadership and governance.

The review undertaken into the East of England Ambulance Service Trust by Deloitte included interviews, focus groups and surveys along with desk research and meeting observation with 1,000 staff.

Findings revealed in the report said the trust's board had the necessary foundations to become high performing but had to do something quickly about the morale of staff.

The report said: "The board is sighted on many of the challenges facing the trust and has a number of plans in place to address them.

"However, the range and significance of challenges are substantial, particularly in relation to addressing the high levels of staff disaffection at the trust.

"In our view increased pace and focus is required by the board to address these challenges."

Bosses have also been told they must "fundamentally rethink" their approach to staff communications and engagement to address staff morale.

Concerns were raised about the visibility of senior leadership, support provided by line managers, the effectiveness of the appraisal process, professional development opportunities, access to team meetings and response to feedback and ideas from staff.

Chief executive of the trust Robert Morton was praised as "visionary and compassionate" and chairman Sarah Boulton said they would work to meet the report's recommendations.

She said: “This has been an extremely worthwhile exercise, and the report and its findings will inform our future strategies and plans to provide an excellent service.

“We are pleased that the independent report confirms the leadership and governance at EEAST is well placed to meet the challenges facing the trust and the board has the skills and experience to become 'a high performing board and well governed trust'.

“We acknowledge there are substantial challenges to be addressed and the board needs to clearly focus on these challenges.

"Particularly we want to address as a matter of urgency the dissatisfaction among staff highlighted in the report.”

The review is a mandatory requirement for every NHS provider and should be taken every three to five years.

EEAST had scheduled the report to be undertaken later this year but was pushed forward after concerns were raised over performance following an extremely busy winter.