The Scotsman

Management replaced at crisis-hit health board

Minister accused of using senior staff as ‘human shields in cover-up’

- By TOM PETERKIN Political Editor

A new senior management team was yesterday installed at scandal-hit NHS Tayside as pressure mounted on Health Secretary Shona Robison over her handling of the crisis.

John Brown, chairman of NHS Glasgow and Clyde, was appointed interim chairman at Tayside after Professor John Connell resigned.

Ms Robison approved the appointmen­t having called for Prof Connell to quite following revelation­s NHS Tayside had used charitable donations to pay for computer systems. The Health Secretary had also said the position of chief executive Lesley Mclay was “untenable” after using ministeria­l powers of interventi­on to take over control of the board.

Last night it emerged that Malcolm Wright, chief executive of NHS Grampian, had been appointed acting chief executive by NHS Scotland chief executive Paul Gray.

Mr Gray said Ms Mclay was now not at work “for personal reasons”. Last night it was reported she was on sick leave.

Earlier this week it emerged that NHS Tayside took more than £2 million from its endowment fund – which is made up of donations from the public or bequests in wills – to cover general running costs, which could normally be funded from its core budget.

Ms Robison thanked Prof Connell for his “personal probity” but said a leadership change was the right thing to do to move the health board forward.

But Mid Scotland and Fife Conservati­ve MSP Murdo Fraser said Ms Robison’s treatment of Prof Connell had been “shameful”.

He said: “What little respect NHS officials and staff had for the Health Secretary has surely been lost following this latest bid to save her own skin.

“NHS Tayside is suffering from problems present long before Prof John Connell took charge and it is shameful to see the person in charge of our NHS use officials as human shields to cover up her own under-performanc­e.

“The SNP has lost complete control over our NHS, a service that they have been in charge of for over 11 years, and it’s high time they took responsibi­lity for their own mismanagem­ent.”

Ms Robison has insisted a leadership change was required to maintain public confidence.

Mr Gray said: “These appointmen­ts will provide stability to the board and enhance financial scrutiny.

Mr Brown will retain the role of chairman of Greater Glasgow and Clyde, but in the meantime will pass some of his duties to the vice-chairman, Ross Finnie.

Mr Wright will also remain as chief executive of NHS Grampian, but his deputy, Amanda Croft, will oversee the day-to-day running.

tom.peterkin@scotsman.com

 ?? PICTURE: ANDREW COWAN ?? John Connell has resigned as chairman of NHS Tayside
PICTURE: ANDREW COWAN John Connell has resigned as chairman of NHS Tayside

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