NHS Tayside chair resigns less than a month after taking up role
Professor Nic Beech is also leaving his role at Dundee University to take up a new job at Middlesex University
The chairman of NHS Tayside has quit the post less than a month after taking up the role.
Professor Nic Beech, who is also vice principal at Dundee University, is to become vice-chancellor of Middlesex University.
NHS Tayside vice-chairwoman Lorna Birse-Stewart will take over the post on a temporary basis, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said.
Mrs Birse-Stewart was the interim chairwoman of the board before the arrival of Professor Beech.
He will take up his new position at Middlesex University from February next year.
Prof Beech said: It is with regret that I have to withdraw as chairman of Tayside but I have been offered a role which represents a career ambition.
This does not in any way diminish my belief in the ambitious change programme in NHS Tayside and its leadership, and I was excited to be working with the team on a significant change and improvement project.''
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Monica Lennon has criticised the decision to appoint him in the first place.
“This is a disastrous appointment by Jeane Freeman," she said.
“NHS Tayside staff had already raised fears that Professor Beech’s full-time duties at Dundee University as Vice-Principal and Provost, where he received a salary of up to £149,999 a year, would distract him from leading the troubled health board.
“They have been proven right. NHS Tayside needs stability and strong leadership. Patients and staff have every right to be angry.”
The Health Secretary said she she wishes Professor Beech well in his academic career
I have appointed Lorna Birse-Stewart, in her capacity as vice-chair, to take over the chair's responsibilities in providing the necessary leadership for the board.''
Mrs Birse-Stewart brings a wealth of experience from her extensive work in the charitable sector and has been on the board for NHS Tayside since 2018.
I am confident that Mrs Birse-Stewart will continue to ensure that the people of NHS Tayside have the best care experience possible.''
The health board is one of four to have been escalated to the second highest stage of Government intervention, due to financial and leadership issues