Welsh ambulance chief steps down after four years’ service

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has bid farewell to its chairman, who held the post for more than four years.

Mick Giannasi, pictured, will leave the organisation on tomorrow when his fixed-term appointment comes to an end.

Mr Giannasi was appointed chairman of the trust in 2013 following a distinguished career in the police service. He is now stepping down, having guided the trust through a significant period of transformation.

Mr Giannasi, who was recently awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his contribution to the NHS, said: “I originally joined the trust on a six-month temporary basis but ended up staying four years more, having become totally committed to the organisation, the essential role it plays and the fantastic people who work in it.

“During that time, the service has been transformed, developing into a more clinically-led and patientfocused organisation... Although we have made a huge amount of progress, I recognise that there is still much to do to create the modern, fit-for-purpose ambulance service that we aspire to be for the people of Wales.

“This winter has been particularly challenging and the pressures which the organisation has faced have meant that we have not always been able to provide the quality or timeliness of service that we would like to... I am sad to be leaving the trust because there is more to do. However, I am heartened by the fact that I am leaving it in very capable hands and the work which we have started together will continue.”

A recruitment process will be held to appoint a substantive replacement in the autumn. In the interim, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething has asked current vice-chairman Martin Woodford to step up into the role.