Western Isles Health Board

Yesterday morning, the Audit Committee took more evidence on the financial and managerial problems at the Western Isles NHS Board, from senior officials within NHS Scotland. The focus was on the former Chief Executive, Dick Manson.

At the moment, Mr Manson is on secondment elsewhere within NHS Scotland, although he formally remains an employee of NHS Western Isles. He will, however, not return there at any point. The Western Isles NHS can therefore still take action against him, if they perceive that his performance during his time at Stornoway would justify doing so.

It was pointed out that there is a culture within NHS Scotland for people who have problems in post to be moved, rather than the problem addressed. Something that the Committee appeared to be flabbergasted by, as such would not be tolerated in the private sector.

Mr Manson's secondment was implemented in a unique way, with the position not previously advertised. There was no process of applications and interviews. NHS Scotland stated that this was a one-off, designed to permit NHS Western Isles to move on, and it was for the good of the public in the islands.

The current Chief Executive is suspended on full pay, funded by NHS Scotland.
An interim CEO is in post, paid for by the Health Board.
On balance, the Scottish taxpayer is funding three CEO's in the islands. That's good value for money, I don't think.

Meanwhile, the contentious Cook Report was released to the Audit Committee, who discussed it in private session.

This just gets worse and worse.