A NEW temporary chief executive has been announced for the ambulance service that serves the Bristol area.

Great Western Ambulance Service will be led by London Ambulance's Martin Flaherty on an interim basis from February following the departure of chief executive David Whiting, who has been at GWAS since April last year.

The performance of the emergency service for Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and the former Avon area has improved since Mr Whiting took over but ambulance staff are being balloted on industrial action over a series of planned shift changes after a union vote of no confidence in the service's management.

Mr Flaherty was involved in co-ordinating the emergency medical response to the July 7 bombings in 2005 and made an OBE in the New Year's honours in 2006.

He said: "I am delighted to be given this opportunity to join Great Western Ambulance Service and am confident that by working closely with the senior team, managers and staff we can continue to maintain the developmental programme which is already underway."

Bristol paramedic and Unison union rep Chris Hewett said that members had been hoping for the appointment of a permanent chief executive.