A NEW broom has been brought in to sweep out the cobwebs at Wiltshire's troubled ambulance service and it is hoped that Tim Skelton can do just that.

It was known back in March that the service, then headed by Dennis Lauder, was having trouble.

It was not answering enough calls in the expected time and there were also allegations that claims of bullying were not being dealt with properly.

During all of these problems there was never any suggestion that the crews themselves did not do a fantastic job and many people were grateful for the service they had received from ambulance men and women across the county.

It was always the outdated equipment which was blamed for performance.

But when the trust received a zero rating and found itself bottom of the league tables published last month it was clear something had to be done.

While the best ambulance services in the country were awarded three stars Wiltshire failed to gain any at all.

Now Mr Skelton, who has already proven himself up to doing a difficult job at the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, must try and make the changes necessary to restore morale and confidence.

It might not be entirely fair Mr Lauder has been sacrificed at this altar of bureaucracy but if the service improves and patients are able to reach hospital quicker it may have been worth it.

Mr Lauder has been kept on by the ambulance trust and moved sideways to make room for Mr Skelton.

This will be a difficult time for him but hopefully he can work with the new man for the good of the service.