The chairman of crisis-hit NHS Lothian has resigned over “fundamental and irreconcilable differences” with Scottish health secretary .
Brian Houston has walked away amid the saga over the new £150 million in Edinburgh which had its launch last July suspended by ventilation issues.
NHS Lothian has also been placed in special measures by the and a public inquiry is due to take place over the new hospital delays.
Tim Davison, chief executive of , said: “It is with great regret that we learn of Brian Houston's resignation as chair of the NHS Lothian board.
“He has been a fantastic chairman, highly visible in his role and bringing to us a wealth of useful and relevant insight and experience from his previous, highly successful career.”
Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “This news is another example of the ’s dire mismanagement of our health service in Scotland.
“NHS Lothian has not had its troubles to seek but this news is a huge blow to an already fragile workforce that is now losing a second member of its senior management following the recent announcement of the retiral of their chief executive.
“I think what we need to establish next is what these differences between Jeanne Freeman and Mr Houston apparently mentioned in his resignation actually are and exactly what the cabinet secretary has been trying to force upon the management of NHS Lothian. “
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has accepted Houston’s resignation.
She said: “Brian Houston has undertaken the role of chair of since 2013 and I would like to wish him all the best for the future.
“Arrangements for an interim chair will be announced shortly.
“Work continues to deliver the new and the department of clinical neuroscience with senior programme director Mary Morgan overseeing actions to ensure the safe delivery of the site.”
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, Alex Cole-Hamilton, said NHS Lothian is a “health board in crisis”.
He added: “This will come as a body-blow to NHS Lothian. There’s now a huge question mark over the leadership of the board.
“The board has been under immense pressure. Whilst the blame for that does not lie squarely at the feet of the health board, they have some questions to answer.
“I can understand Mr Houston’s frustration. The have ridden roughshod over many aspects of the service and failed to give it adequate resources in other areas, particularly in child mental health and social care provision.”
The chief executive of NHS Lothian, , has announced he is set to retire from his position – adding to the leadership problems of the health board.
