AMBULANCE staff covering Somerset are among those who have called on the chief executive of the service to stand down 'in order to protect patients and staff'.

In an open letter, members of the GMB union at the South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) say the organisation is 'failing to address major issues and the toll from not doing so is having an enormous effect upon increasing numbers of staff'.

It calls on chief executive, Ken Wenman, to resign over the 'current situation in the service and the state of industrial relations' and apologises to patients for the service being provided.

The letter was sent by ambulance professionals working for the service, which covers Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Gary Palmer, GMB Regional NHS campaign organiser, said: “Although we are unfortunately regularly being contacted by members and concerned staff over any number of growing issues at SWAST, we felt this recent letter on behalf of a group of GMB members particularly summoned up the general despair and frustration many staff currently feel from working within a service and role they love.

“The trust are failing to address major issues and the toll from not doing so is having an enormous effect upon increasing numbers of staff, as they consider whether they wish to remain within this particular ambulance service or not.

“GMB and its members being ignored by the chief executive and the trust is one thing, but their failing to be able to recognise the numerous issues and the effect they have upon many front line ambulance professionals within its own organisation and the patients they ultimate serve, means that Mr Wenman has clearly not only lost touch or interest with his employees and the service, but has now also lost their respect as well.

“It’s time for the chief executive to stand down and for any replacement to be clear on wanting to do more to protect and support the trust’s most valuable resource, its own staff."

Tony Fox, from SWASFT, said: "We accept that there is always more to be done and we will continue to work closely with our colleagues and listen and respond to their needs."