NHS set to test poll substitute

NHS Lothian is to test an alternative system to the election of health board members, which is being trialled elsewhere in the country.

It has emerged that health chiefs in the area will cut down the overall number of people on the board by three, as well as sourcing two non-executive members.

NHS Lothian is keen for this to work, as it was opposed to the Scottish Government's idea of making health boards primarily made up of councillors and elected representatives.