New figures show an average of 132 employees at the East of England Ambulance Service are taking mental health-related leave each month, up from just 37 in 2015.

The trust, which was recently ranked the worst performing in an NHS league table, has faced growing scrutiny over staff welfare.

At the time, union bosses said morale was at "rock bottom" and the new figures will raise concerns about a growing sickness culture at the organisation and the impact that might have on its response times and care for patients.

The data, which was obtained via a freedom of information request, shows that on average last year 121 members........

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