Councillor quits isles health board

A COUNCILLOR has resigned from the Western Isles health board in protest over the number of members who do not live on the islands.

The organisation has three Scottish Government-appointed non-executive directors who are currently based off the isles – out of a total of 15 members.

Councillor Angus McCormack has claimed it is Western Isles Health Board (WIHB) ‘in name only’.

In his resignation letter, the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar councillor said: ‘The Western Isles Health Board is that in name only. The decision to appoint, as your vice chair, a mainland resident board member is not acceptable to me, especially since there are suitable locally based Board Members.

‘It is clear to me that the appointments process used by the Scottish Government is not fit for purpose. Residents in these islands wish to have local people on the WIHB, not people who do not even know where our hospitals are located.’

A spokesman for the health board said: ‘We note Cllr McCormack’s reasons for resigning, however, we do not agree with them. We would add that Cllr McCormack’s closing remark is completely inaccurate.

‘Whereas local elected members on the council are elected to specifically represent the interests of a particular ward, non-executive directors are expected to take and support decisions that are in the best interests to the whole of the Western Isles.

‘The skills, experience and knowledge brought by a wide range of individuals on the board ensures diversity, innovative approaches and effective scrutiny.’