大象传媒

I thought I could put my cast-iron quill to one side, now that changes are finally afoot in the Western Isles Health Board, but no. As I reported last week, the Chairman has stepped aside, and an interim Chairman has been put in his place as of today (Monday 7th).

The new Chairman was working for a recruitment company at one stage which in turn is said to have been involved with the recruitment of two senior Board members and other senior officials within the Board. Said company had been involved in drawing up a shortlist of candidates for the Board to consider prior to starting the normal recruitment procedures. The company was not involved in that.

The SNP has asked the Health Minister whether there is a conflict of interest. The Minister has replied that such is not the case.

It is the role of the opposition to scrutinise government policies, and particularly in a case of the Western Isles Health Board, dogged by controversy and mismanagement government ministers need to be more than ordinarily careful. It also refocuses the need for each Board member to be scrutinised following the debacle that is only now starting to get sorted. On the other hand, I do feel that the Health Minister has acted decisively; also, the current Chairman is an interim appointment, pending the recruitment of a permanent one. The Minister is due in Stornoway tomorrow, Tuesday, to discuss the way forward. I am looking forward to more decisive action.