Malcolm Wright, CEO of NHS Scotland and DG of Health and Social Care has stepped down from the role due to ill health based on an underlying medical condition.
The Scottish Government says interim arrangements are in place until the end of August.
At which point, an open recruitment campaign will begin to find Malcolm’s successor.
Elinor Mitchell has been appointed interim DG to ‘ensure that there is additional capacity to respond to the intense and challenging period of response and recovery from the Covid-19 emergency’ according to the Scottish Government.
Elinor is currently working as Director for Community Health and Social Care and will work alongside John Connaghan, Chief Performance Officer NHS Scotland, who steps in as interim CEO of NHS Scotland.
Announcing the resignation Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman said:
“I am very sorry that Malcolm Wright has had to resign from the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and DG Health and Social Care role.
“I know this was a difficult decision but one he has had to make for medical reasons. He leaves with my greatest respect and gratitude.
“I have valued the wealth of knowledge and experience that he brought to the role, especially at this challenging time.
“I wish him well for a happy and healthy future.
“I know that Elinor Mitchell and John Connaghan have worked closely with Malcolm as key members of his team and that they share my determination to equip our health and care system to meet the current challenges and to continue delivering an excellent service for the people of Scotland.
“I am confident they will continue to meet the challenges we face and continue to give our service the leadership it deserves.”
