The chief executive of the NI Ambulance Service has told staff we will retire next year.
Michael Bloomfield announced his decision in an internal video sent to the NIAS workforce last week, with the move coming into effect at the end of March 2025.
The outgoing chief executive said the time was right for a fresh face to take the service’s development forward.
“I just wanted to take this early opportunity to make you aware that today I have informed the Trust Board of my intention to retire at the end of March 2025,” he said.
“By March, I will have had the privilege of being NIAS chief executive for seven years, during which time we developed our six-year strategy ‘Caring today, planning for tomorrow’.
“Much progress has been made over the past four years in the delivery of the strategy’s vision and it is my intention over the coming six months to ensure that work continues at pace to further enhance the service for the benefit of patients and our staff.
“During 2025, work will commence to develop a new strategy and I believe it is right and proper for that to be led by a new chief executive, who will be responsible for its implementation from 2026 onwards.
“It therefore seems to me that this is the opportune time to step aside to allow that work to begin and to afford a new chief executive the opportunity to articulate their vision for the delivery of the service, building on the progress of the past few years.”
The NI Ambulance Service will have a new chief from next year
Mr Bloomfield was appointed to his role in March 2018 and has more than 30 years of experience working within the public sector. He previously held a number of roles within the Department of Health from 1998 until 2009, before joining the Health and Social Care Board, where he was appointed deputy chief executive in November 2016.
Mr Bloomfield also led NIAS through the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, regularly providing video updates to the public on how the service was helping to tackle the virus.
Mr Bloomfield said the decision to retire had left him with “mixed emotions”.
“I feel honoured to have led the service in this recent period of transformation and to have overseen the introduction of many new roles, pathways and functions that have been developed during this time,” he said.
“But I believe the time is right for the next phase to be taken forward by new leadership with fresh ideas.
“I look forward to meeting with many of you over the coming months, but for now it is very much business as usual.
“I have always said that my role as Chief Executive is to support all of you in delivering the best possible service we can to the local community.
“That remains my priority over the next six months and I know it is always your priority also. Thank you.”