Chief at under-fire NHS board to retire

The chief executive of a health board has announced his retirement after 10 years in the job.

Professor James Barbour, who is stepping down from NHS Lothian, said it has been a “privilege” to serve in the role.

His retirement comes weeks after Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon ordered an investigation into the management culture at NHS Lothian after the board was accused of manipulating waiting-times figures to meet targets.

Two members of staff were suspended as part of the probe.

Prof Barbour, 59, has spent 35 years in the NHS, ten of them in NHS Lothian.

He said: “It has been a privilege to serve the NHS and the people of Lothian, and also to have worked with many thousands of talented and committed staff.

“The time is now right for me to do something new and different as the board embraces a new strategic direction.

“I wish all of my friends, colleagues and the staff of NHS Lothian continued success for the future.”

The Royal College of Nursing Scotland (RCN) called on the health board to learn from the waiting-times investigation.

RCN Scotland director Theresa Fyffe said: “The unhealthy culture that is currently being investigated at NHS Loth-ian has resulted in unacceptable pressure on staff.

“The NHS Lothian workforce has taken a lot of strain, so the Scottish Government and interim chief executive must work together to solve outstanding problems now.

“Not only this, they must put in place a clear way forward with adequate resources to address any long-term problems concerning waiting times that emerge.

“Otherwise, the already overstretched nursing workforce will be put under unacceptable strain.”