NHS Lothian appoints new interim chair
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman's confirmed Esther Roberton will take over from Brian Houston who quit last month.
Under-fire NHS Lothian have a new interim chair with Health Secretary Jeane Freeman appointing Esther Roberton.
It comes just weeks after Brian Houston quit as chairman over reported “fundamental differences” with Ms Freeman.
He’d come under pressure after the struggling health board was placed under special measures by the Scottish Government.
It’s also subject to an upcoming public inquiry into delays to the new Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital.
Mr Houston took over the role in 2013, and his decision came just a fortnight after Tim Davison announced he was retiring as NHS Lothian’s Chief Executive.
The health board are still to replace the latter, but Esther Roberton will now take over as interim chair.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I’m pleased to announce that Esther Roberton will be taking up the role of interim Chair of NHS Lothian.
“As a former Chair of NHS 24 and NHS Fife, and current Senior Governor of the University of Aberdeen, Esther has considerable experience and a long-standing commitment to public service, and the social and economic development of Scotland.
“She will play a significant role in helping to stabilise and transform the Board and turn around performance, and I look forward to working with her as work continues to deliver the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and department of Clinical Neuroscience.”
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