THE scandal-hit ambulance service which provides emergency response to patients in Sussex has announced its medical director has quit.

Dr Rory McCrea will leave his post at South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) with immediate effect.

He departs when the trust is in special measures, after a series of damning reports by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC ranked SECAmb as inadequate.

Dr McCrea joined the service July 2015.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “The trust can confirm that with immediate effect medical director Rory McCrea has stepped down from his role with the Trust.

"Rory, who provided medical oversight at the trust two days per week, took the decision to step down for personal reasons and in the light of the trust's need to continue to focus over the coming 12 months on delivering its recovery plan.

“We would like to thank Rory for his expertise and commitment during a difficult period for the trust. The trust will announce Dr McCrea’s replacement in due course.

“SECAmb would also like to thank non-executive director, Dr Katrina Herren for her hard work for the trust after she took the decision to step down from her role for personal reasons.”

This week the ambulance trust announced the appointment of a new cheif executive Daren Mochrie will be joining from the Scottish Ambulance Service.