The chief executive of controversial patient transport company Coperforma said he was disappointed their contract was stripped. 

Yesterday The Argus exclusively revealed the struggling patient transport firm would be stripped of the contact following months of chaos for patients, ambulance drivers and subcontractors.

Coperforma chief executive Michael Clayton said: "We are, of course, disappointed that we shall not be continuing to deliver the Sussex patient transport service contract in the longer term. 

"This is particularly unfortunate for all the people in our company and contractors who have worked so hard, after a difficult start, to provide patients across the county with a much improved safe and reliable service."

A managed transition over four to six months, in which non-emergency patient transport services will be instead provided by the NHS via the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). 

Mr Clayton added: “Talks are scheduled today with the commissioners to agree final terms and conditions to bring the contact to an end. In the meantime patients will continue to be our priority and we will be ensuring that there will be no interruption to the service providers.

“We are equally committed to work with the commissioners and the new providers to make sure that the transition process is efficiently completed in the best interests of all patients and NHS staff.”

Coperforma have been dogged by problems, as patients complained of being let down and missing important appointments, including those for dialysis and chemotherapy.  This week MPs and union officials applauded the decision to strip the firm's contract.

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove, said: "I'm very pleased with the news but we can't just let this lie because I'm not satisfied this can't happen again. It's a miracle there wasn't a loss of life.

"When it comes to Clincal Commissioning Group, which appointed Coperforma, somebody has got to show they've learned the lesson."