The new chief executive of the ambulance service which serves Swindon and Wiltshire has been announced.

Dr John Martin has been appointed as the chief executive at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Martin joined the Trust at the end of December last year as interim chief executive on secondment from the London Ambulance Service where he held the positions of chief paramedic officer and deputy chief executive.

He is described as an experienced executive board member with a wealth of clinical and operational experience across ambulance, acute, community and mental health NHS services.

He was awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal in 2023.

Dr Martin said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the Chief Executive for the Trust and I have enjoyed my first few months as interim Chief Executive. 

“It feels like a lot has happened in that time, and I have particularly enjoyed visiting stations and, on occasion, having the opportunity to see patients on clinical shifts.  Everyone has made me feel hugely welcome and I have seen the professionalism and compassion this organisation brings in a highly challenging environment.

“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to continue my journey with SWASFT, and I very much look forward to working with colleagues, volunteers and our partner organisations to ensure we deliver the best possible care for our patients when they need us most.”