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Minister meets isles health board Isles board 'not crisis-ridden'
(about 1 hour later)
Health Minister Andy Kerr has been holding a meeting with members of the beleaguered Western Isles Health Board in Stornoway. Health Minister Andy Kerr said he no longer has a sense of a "crisis-ridden" board following a meeting with Western Isles health chiefs.
In recent weeks the board has suffered three top-level resignations, including Dick Manson the former chief executive.In recent weeks the board has suffered three top-level resignations, including Dick Manson the former chief executive.
According to a recent survey, staff at the health board were said to be among the "unhappiest in Scotland".According to a recent survey, staff at the health board were said to be among the "unhappiest in Scotland".
Mr Manson's departure followed that of board chairman David Currie and communications officer John MacLeod. Mr Kerr said the board must now work to tackle the staff's concerns as quickly as possible.
The minister's visit to the isles coincided with the publication of a Scottish Health Council report on the health board's efforts to involve patients and the public in its services.
Tough decisons will have to be made Andy KerrHealth minister
The report commended the board for establishing a patient focus and public involvement steering group for sharing information but added that staff need more training to make it work.
The board was also advised to review its communications strategy in order to ensure close links with local communities.
Mr Kerr said he has spent more time on Western Isles Health Board than on any other board in Scotland.
He said: "However, since arriving here today I do not get a sense of a crisis-ridden board. "We need to change the results of the staff survey next time round. The staff partnership arrangements must be reviewed as quickly as possible.
"The challenges you face are susbstantial and unique to the Western Isles regarding staff governance."
"Tough decisons will have to be made. I am sure the team will be able to deliver. It is important to get the show back on the road."
Fresh approachFresh approach
Mr Manson was originally appointed by the Scottish Executive to tackle accusations of financial mismanagement at the board. Since the resignations in August the health minister has installed a new interim chairman and sent a support team to the isles.
Since the resignations in August the health minister has installed a new interim chairman and dispatched a support team to the isles.
Malcolm Wright, who heads the Scottish Executive-appointed support team, has been serving as interim chief executive.Malcolm Wright, who heads the Scottish Executive-appointed support team, has been serving as interim chief executive.
The health minister said a new full-time chief executive would be appointed and the board would continue moving towards a fresh approach to how it runs health services. The health minister said a new full time chief executive would be appointed and the board would continue moving towards a fresh approach to how it runs health services.
Mr Kerr previously said he had seen evidence of change within the board.Mr Kerr previously said he had seen evidence of change within the board.
He said the delivery of health care in the isles was not an issue, but the conduct of board members was.He said the delivery of health care in the isles was not an issue, but the conduct of board members was.