Out of the blue, says MSP

David Stewart, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, said the NHS Highland announcement came ‘out of the blue’.

As he wished Iain Stewart well in his new role, he added: ‘This has come out of the blue as far as I am concerned because Iain Stewart has only been in post for a year and took over a very difficult situation.

‘The most important thing now is that there is secure leadership at the top of the organisation and that the new chief executive gets to grip with a system for hearing bullying and harassment cases, particularly from those staff who were previously employed.

‘NHS Highland is also still struggling with its financial situation and front-line staff are already under great pressure so the new chief executive at the helm will have a tough job with the challenges that need to be faced.’

Following the announcement, Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands MSP, said: ‘As we all know, there has been great concern across the Highlands and Islands about our health service for many years.

‘I very much hope that, following this game of musical chairs, NHS Highland will have a leadership team which can bring real positive change and put our services on a more sustainable footing. And I offer my best wishes to the new chief executive, Paul Hawkins, who is being transferred from NHS Fife.

‘However, I can’t help wondering whether the real change we need is at the very top, with a new Cabinet Secretary for Health to replace Jeane Freeman. The buck should stop at her desk.’