Top accolade awarded to NHS chief

NHS LOTHIAN'S chief executive has been awarded a top accolade for his work in healthcare management.

Professor James Barbour was granted a Companionship of the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) in recognition of the work he has done throughout his 30-year career with the NHS.

He is one of only seven senior managers throughout the UK to be given the accolade this year.

The title has been awarded in recognition of the work Professor Barbour has done in supporting the graduate management trainee programme.

Following his first job as a hospital porter he entered the Graduate Management Training Scheme in 1977. Since August 2001 he has been Chief Executive of NHS Lothian.

Professor Barbour said: "It is a great honour to have been recognised. I am particularly pleased that the IHM have recognised the importance of the graduate management trainee programme, as the graduates of today will become the leaders of tomorrow."