AMBULANCE chiefs have apologised unreservedly to the family of a woman who died after a row over air-lifting her to a specialist hospital unit.

As reported in last week's Guardian, Mersey Regional Ambulance Service, and in particular its chief executive David Todhunter, were slammed by an official report which criticised the organisation's handling of the affair.

Mum-of-three Julie Donaldson died in May 1999 after the wrangle over an air ambulance which was needed to take her from Warrington to Leeds.

Her family met with the ambulance service's board yesterday, Wednesday, and pledged to improve its service in the future.

Julie's brother-in-law Stuart said: "The meeting went as well as could be expected.

"The board has given us a letter which gives its unreserved apologies.

"The board members are fully accepting the views of the report and they are putting together a timetable to deal with the recommendations. One of the reviews recommends a management inquiry which will be to determine the actions of Mr Todhunter and we put it in no uncertain terms that his position was untenable. There would be public concern if he was in charge of putting the improvements in to place.

"They say they are going to keep us informed and, where appropriate, keep us involved."

Mr Todhunter, who lives in Ashbury Drive, Appleton, went off on sick leave three days before the report was released and is still off now.