The performance of the East of England Ambulance Service will be debated in parliament next week amid calls for members of the board to resign.

Witham MP Priti Patel has secured a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, the day before the next Trust board meeting.

It comes after she and Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey called for the non-executive directors of the ambulance trust board to resign.

Earlier this month a report by West Midlands Ambulance Service boss Anthony Marsh found the board had 'developed a sense of helplessness' and that 'there is a lack of focus and grip from the board which has contributed towards the deterioration of performance.'

Ms Patel said: 'We will continue to press a point of public interest here. Our constituents and people in the Eastern region deserve answers. We know people have died and as a result we need to have progress on this. We need proper accountability. The public deserve the right people in themanagement team that will support the front line staff to get out there and do an excellent job.'

Dr Coffey said: 'Next week's debate gives MPs a further opportunity to debate the performance of the Trust.'

'Whilst frontline staff are doing their best this deterioration has not just happened overnight. I am surprised that having read the report a number of the non-executive directors have still have not offered their resignation.'