The region's troubled ambulance trust is offering senior staff members up to £80,000 to quit their jobs.

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust has rolled out a "mutually agreed resignation scheme" this month, as a measure to address ongoing cultural troubles in its workforce.

The scheme, which is only available during a two-week window in April, invites senior workers to apply for pay-offs of up to £80,000 to resign from their posts.

However, it is only being made available staff members on or above the band 8a pay scale - which currently has a starting salary of £48,526.

Workers that successfully apply for the scheme will then be paid a half month's salary for every year they have worked in the NHS - with pay-offs capped at £80,000.

It comes amid ongoing allegations of poor culture within in the trust, including continuing problems with racism and discrimination. 

A damning report published last month revealed shocking examples of behaviour within the trust, including mimicking monkey noises and a worker 'wearing black face' at a staff party.

A worker for the trust, who did not wish to be named, said: "This seems to be a way for the taxpayer to foot the bill for those managers whose conduct probably led to the awful culture here.

"Paramedics are burnt out but won't get the chance to apply for this as they aren't on band 8a and above."

Tom Abell, EEAST chief executive, said: "We made the decision to launch this voluntary scheme – which is used frequently in the NHS – as we recognise the trust has been going through a period of cultural change which will be ongoing for the next few years.  

“Since I joined the Trust in August 2021, we have made significant progress in a number of areas which has been recognised by our regulators and we are hoping that this scheme will help drive the further improvements we are working towards.”