THE Welsh Ambulance Service has appointed its first Director of Digital Services.

Andy Haywood, a former Royal Navy officer, has been appointed to shape and oversee an ambitious digital services strategy which will support the delivery of patient care and improve the experience of staff.

Andy joins the organisation from Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, where he was the Associate Director of Digital.

Prior to that, he was a Head of Relationship Management at NHS Digital and a Programme Manager responsible for cyber security, networks and a multi-million pound budget.

Andy began his career as an Air Traffic Control Officer the Royal Navy, and also served with the Royal Air Force, where he was responsible for the command of the RAF’s second largest air traffic control squadron.

It was in this role that he oversaw an £11m upgrade to RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, which included new facilities for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Chief Executive Jason Killens said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service has undergone significant transformation over the last four years and is today celebrated as one of the most innovative of its kind internationally.

“We want this to continue, and Andy’s appointment – the first of its kind for our ambulance service – is testament to just how committed we are to using digital technology to enhance our services.

“Andy brings a wealth of expert knowledge and experience, and we look forward to him joining our ambulance service family.”

Andy’s priorities on entering the Trust will be to understand the unique challenges posed by the scale and responsibility of WAST, and how new and innovative technologies can be used to answer them, whilst transforming patient care.

He said: “I’m tremendously excited to be joining such a progressive organisation as the Welsh Ambulance Service, at a time where there is a renewed focus on digital transformation across the Welsh health and care system.”

Andy will join the Trust officially in January 2020.