THE NEW interim chief executive of Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) has pledged to work to resolve outstanding industrial relations issue.

Martin Flaherty joined GWAS on February 7 as a temporary replacement for David Whiting until a permanent chief executive is recruited, which is expected to take between six and nine months.

Unison balloted members after unrest among front line ambulance staff following the introduction of shift changes in November across Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire.

Mr Flaherty said: “I am looking forward to getting out and about to meet managers and staff across the organisation as much as possible during the coming weeks.

“By working with staff throughout the organisation and with external partners I hope to build on that progress, while keeping the focus firmly on benefiting the hundreds of patients we see every day.

“To that end, working closely with trade union colleagues to find a solution to the current industrial dispute is clearly a top priority as nobody wants to see standards of patient care affected by industrial action. I have a long history of working with trade unions in partnership to solve problems and move things forward in a way that benefits both patients and staff.”

Mr Flaherty has worked in ambulance services for 33 years.