´óÏó´«Ã½

A new chief executive has been appointed to head the East Midlands Ambulance Service after its former boss stepped down.

Sue Noyes, the former head of the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, has been made interim chief executive after Phil Milligan resigned in August.

She is due to work for nine months until a permanent successor is found.

Chairman Jon Towler said she could "change the culture of organisations to get the best out of people".

Mr Milligan resigned after months of criticism over the closure of many ambulance stations and a fine for the service of £11m for failing to meet response time targets over three years.

At the time, he said the role had been "demanding" and he was "proud to leave the service in a much stronger position".

In a statement Mr Towler said he was sure Ms Noyes "will help EMAS reach and exceed its targets as well as providing an excellent service to the people of the East Midlands".

Ms Noyes, who has worked in the NHS for 20 years, said: "I know that all staff in the organisation are committed to serving the people of the East Midlands in the best way possible and I see my role as helping the organisation reach its full potential."

She will start work on 15 October.