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Chairman quits crisis-hit NHS Tayside | Chairman quits crisis-hit NHS Tayside |
(35 minutes later) | |
The chairman of NHS Tayside has stood down after the health board was put in "special measures" by the government. | The chairman of NHS Tayside has stood down after the health board was put in "special measures" by the government. |
Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the resignation of Prof John Connell, describing it as the "right decision". | Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the resignation of Prof John Connell, describing it as the "right decision". |
She said her intervention was necessary because she was not confident the leadership was capable of managing its own finances. | She said her intervention was necessary because she was not confident the leadership was capable of managing its own finances. |
This came after several years of financial problems during which it is was bailed out by the government. | This came after several years of financial problems during which it is was bailed out by the government. |
'Laid bare' | 'Laid bare' |
A further financial concern emerged earlier this week when it was claimed NHS Tayside took more than £2m from its charitable endowment fund to cover general running costs, including a new IT system. | A further financial concern emerged earlier this week when it was claimed NHS Tayside took more than £2m from its charitable endowment fund to cover general running costs, including a new IT system. |
The health board, which has received Scottish government "brokerage" loans of £33.2m in the past five years, was reported to have used the endowment fund when "faced with a funding deficit" in 2013-14. | The health board, which has received Scottish government "brokerage" loans of £33.2m in the past five years, was reported to have used the endowment fund when "faced with a funding deficit" in 2013-14. |
NHS Tayside was said to have temporarily suspended its constitution to allow this to happen, as the money was going to "retrospectively" fund projects already approved by the board. | NHS Tayside was said to have temporarily suspended its constitution to allow this to happen, as the money was going to "retrospectively" fund projects already approved by the board. |
Politicians said there was an "apparent misuse" of funds but the health board insisted it was "appropriate". | Politicians said there was an "apparent misuse" of funds but the health board insisted it was "appropriate". |
Last week, the Scottish government was told NHS Tayside's finances were likely to deteriorate further. | Last week, the Scottish government was told NHS Tayside's finances were likely to deteriorate further. |
NHS chief executive Paul Gray told MSPs he expected NHS Tayside would require further brokerage cash from the government of between £9m and £12m. | NHS chief executive Paul Gray told MSPs he expected NHS Tayside would require further brokerage cash from the government of between £9m and £12m. |
The health secretary said: "It has become clear to me that the current structure of the board cannot deliver the improvements required to return to a sustainable position, while continuing to deliver safe and effective services to patients." | The health secretary said: "It has become clear to me that the current structure of the board cannot deliver the improvements required to return to a sustainable position, while continuing to deliver safe and effective services to patients." |
Ms Robison also described the position of NHS Tayside's chief executive, Lesley McLay, as "untenable". | Ms Robison also described the position of NHS Tayside's chief executive, Lesley McLay, as "untenable". |
Prof Connell has previously said that the board at NHS Tayside inherited a difficult situation and that he had only taken up his role two and a half years ago. | Prof Connell has previously said that the board at NHS Tayside inherited a difficult situation and that he had only taken up his role two and a half years ago. |
In a statement about his resignation, Prof Connell said it had been "an absolute privilege" to lead the health board. | In a statement about his resignation, Prof Connell said it had been "an absolute privilege" to lead the health board. |
He said: "I have always maintained a focus on safe patient care and ensuring staff are supported to deliver that at all times. | He said: "I have always maintained a focus on safe patient care and ensuring staff are supported to deliver that at all times. |
"I am very pleased that this has not been compromised during a difficult financial period." | "I am very pleased that this has not been compromised during a difficult financial period." |
Prof Connell said NHS Tayside was "on the correct course to transform its services". | Prof Connell said NHS Tayside was "on the correct course to transform its services". |
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said ministers had presided over a situation where financial scrutiny of NHS boards had been "at best insufficient and at worse incompetent". | |
Scottish Labour's Anas Sarwar said there had been a "complete lack of leadership and mismanagement of our NHS by the SNP minister" for a number of years. | |
The Lib Dems said there was "no shortage of warnings" about NHS Tayside's problems. |