New man at the top for ambulance service

YORKSHIRE Ambulance Service has announced the appointment of David Whiting to the post of chief executive, with effect from early next year.

David, a registered paramedic who was born and brought up in South Yorkshire, will join Yorkshire Ambulance Service from Great Western Ambulance Service where he has spent the last 19 months as chief executive.

He said: “Yorkshire Ambulance Service has certainly made a great deal of progress in improving the responsiveness and quality of its services, and I am looking forward to seeking new opportunities to build upon this success and further develop services for the benefit of the people we serve.”

With more than 28 years’ experience in the ambulance service, David was previously the director of operations at East Midlands Ambulance Service and has worked for South Yorkshire and West Midlands Ambulance Services.

David has also worked with the Healthcare Commission (now the Care Quality Commission) and the Department of Health.

Della Cannings, chairman of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “We are delighted that David has agreed to join Yorkshire Ambulance Service. “As we head towards the next phase of our development and the Foundation Trust application process, his wealth of ambulance experience and knowledge will be extremely valuable.

“Yorkshire Ambulance Service has made great improvements over the last 12 to 18 months and the board is confident that David’s appointment will give us strong leadership to continue providing excellent emergency care and safe transport for patients.

“I look forward to working with him for the benefit of the people of Yorkshire." The post is currently filled by acting chief executive Simon Worthington who is the trust's finance director.

Former chief executive Martyn Pritchard left Yorkshire Ambulance Service in the summer to join NHS Yorkshire and the Humber to lead a programme of work to reform the urgent and emergency care system across the region.