THE boss of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has resigned from his job.

Chief Executive David Whiting yesterday tendered his resignation and stepped down from his role to "pursue new challenges and opportunities".

His role will be filled on an interim basis by current deputy Rod Barnes until a permanent replacement is recruited.

On leaving the Trust David Whiting said: “Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) has much to be proud of with a fantastic team of dedicated people committed to delivering the best possible services for patients whilst leading the country in terms of results for patients in major trauma and cardiac arrest survival.

“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. From a personal point of view, I feel it is also right for me to pursue new challenges and opportunities.”

Accepting David’s resignation YAS chairman Della Cannings said: “On behalf of the Trust Board I want to thank David for his leadership and the significant contribution he has made to us on our journey to become a Foundation Trust. I wish David well in his new ventures.”

Unite the Union, which has been locked in a dispute for nearly two years with the YAS management over patient and staff safety issues, said the resignation could herald ‘new chapter’ in patient safety.