大象传媒

I think this saga has now about run its course. The medical director for the Health Board has now announced that he is going into retirement. As I reported a few weeks ago, the Board's 3 posts for medical directors would be amalgamated into 1. One MD was not unhappy to lose that position, as it took too much of his time for patient care. The other MD, who was in charge of service redesign at the Health Board is now apparently the full-time Medical Director for NHS Western Isles.

Apart from the Medical Directors, staff at the Health Board had passed a motion of no confidence in the Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Board on March 6th. The entire threesome has now left the NHS here. Health Minister Andy Kerr has put an emergency management team in place, which is sorting things out.

One of the remaining problems in the Health Service in these islands is a towering deficit of about 拢2 million. The Board asked staff to look for savings wherever they can, but I think not having a wagebill for 2 high ranking officials will help. Apparently, the shortfall was caused primarily by locum costs. Locum consultants are quite dear, but unfortunately, the Western Isles are not regarded as a position which is greatly conducive for advancing your medical career.