UNION members have welcomed the sudden resignation of an ambulance service boss.
David Whiting has quit as chief executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS), following a two-year row with staff over fears for patient safety.
Paramedics and other ambulance workers have staged numerous strikes over the introduction of a new meal break system under the workforce plan.
The trust has also been hit by claims ambulances have been taking too long to reach patients in recent weeks.
Thomas Belton, 94, who suffered a head injury when he fell at a care home in Cottingham, had to wait one hour and eight minutes for an ambulance to arrive on November 5.
Last week, a cast member of musical show Jersey Boys had to wait almost two hours for an ambulance after breaking an ankle in a fall from the stage at Hull New Theatre.
Mr Whiting said he hoped YAS would benefit from a change in leadership.
He said: "I have been proud to lead the organisation and with new challenges and exciting opportunities ahead, I believe YAS will benefit from a change of leadership bringing fresh ideas and insights to keep YAS moving in the right direction.
"It is also right for me to pursue new challenges and opportunities."
Relations have been fraught between Mr Whiting and his staff following the implementation of the new workforce plan, which sees workers on 12-hour shifts being allowed only a 45-minute break sometime between the fourth and seventh hour.
Workers feared the changes could cost patients' lives as staff would be overworked.
On busy shifts they can be refused breaks and workers also face longer shift patterns.
Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said the changes to the service had been "disastrous" and hopes to resolve the issues with Mr Whiting's replacement.
Current deputy Rod Barnes, the executive director of finance and performance, will lead the service until a permanent replacement is found.
Mr Cunliffe said: "This is an opportunity to recover this service from the disastrous position Mr Whiting has to bear responsibility for.
"I am hopeful the new, incoming chief executive will be willing to engage with representatives of all of the workforce in order to address the serious concerns we and the public have about the direction and management of YAS.
"The only way of doing this is by talking to the workforce, who have had at least two years of trying to have their voices heard and having their concerns about public safety ignored."
