Jason Leitch to step down at National Clinical Director
Last updated 12th Mar 2024
Scotland's National Clinical Director is quitting.
Jason Leitch, who became a household name by delivering regular Covid updates to the Scottish public during the pandemic, says he'll leave the post at the end of April.
He says it was a "privilege to be part of the co-ordinated response."
He's recently faced criticism after it emerged he deleted his WhatsApps during the pandemic.
Opposition parties had called for him to resign after WhatsApp messages exchanged between Prof Leitch and Humza Yousaf - who at that point was health secretary - were revealed at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
However his resignation statement made no mention of this and said he had "decided to look for new challenges across health and care after a break".
During a message exchange in June 2021, Prof Leitch made derogatory comments about several MSPs.
In a statement released through the Scottish Government, Prof Leitch said: "It has been an enormous privilege to carry out this role and work closely with colleagues across the health and care sector in service of the patients, their families and carers.
"The NHS and social care system does remarkable work every day, and I am immensely proud of the teams I have had the privilege of being part of.
"The ongoing success of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme is globally recognised and has significantly improved the safety and reliability of care in many ways.
"The Covid pandemic was an unprecedented challenge for all countries and I am proud of my colleagues inside and outside Government for their incredible work.
"It was a privilege to be able to communicate with the public so directly and be part of that co-ordinated response, and I will forever be grateful for the public's attention and willingness to follow the guidance - it saved lives.
"I have decided to look for new challenges across health and care after a break, and to spend more time with the charities I work with. I wish colleagues well for the future."
Professor Leitch will also leave his post at NHS Tayside where he is employed on standard NHS Consultant terms and conditions.