TROUBLED Great Western Ambulance Service boss Tim Lynch has stepped down only two weeks after a damning report slated his trust’s performance.

Mr Lynch was appointed chief executive of GWAS when it was created in April 2006 by merging Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon ambulance trusts.

However it has been accused of reducing ambulance cover, particularly in the Cotswolds, and been criticised by its own paramedics who believed cutbacks were putting lives at risk.

The report by the Healthcare Commission concluded that the trust had made a ‘serious failure’ after the Standard revealed it took an ambulance crew 42 minutes to reach Royal Agricultural College student Rebecca Wedd as she lay dying on the A433 after being struck by a car in May last year.

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton Brown said: "Tim Lynch's departure provides an opportunity for a fresh start.

"I will be looking on behalf of the people of the Cotswolds for a reassurance that they will receive an ambulance service that lives up to their expectations, should they ever be involved in an emergency.

"I will seek an early meeting with the new Chief Executive as soon as he takes up his appointment, so that we can discuss what improvements can be made."

The man now charged with the task of turning around the trust is Anthony Marsh who was the chief executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Mr Marsh has also previously transformed the Essex Ambulance Service from a zero rating to a three-star trust in as many years.

In a statement released by the trust, he said: "Great Western has come a long way over the last few months and I am hopeful that I can help continue that progress and ensure that patients in the three counties get an even better service.

"I am looking forward to meeting the staff and managers across the Trust and learning what more can be done to improve patient care."

Meanwhile Mr Lynch is joining the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as their director of operational services.

Tony FitzSimons, chairman of GWAS paid tribute to his two years in charge of the trust.

"Tim has made a great contribution to Great Western Ambulance Service in his two years as its first chief executive.

"He has significantly improved performance across the Trust and successfully managed the complexity of merging three organisations into one.

"As a result we are well-placed to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead."