The man who steered NHS Grampian out of its most turbulent period in history is to retire, threatening to plunge the board into disarray once more.
Malcolm Wright, the board’s chief executive, announced he would stand down in August after almost four years at the helm.
In recent months he had also been parachuted in to bail out crisis-hit NHS Tayside after it became embroiled in a major financial scandal.
Mr Wright will retire from Grampian in August and will leave the neighbouring board at the end of the year.
Last night, Health Secretary Shona Robison called Mr Wright an “excellent servant” of the north-east and insisted his Tayside appointment had played a part in his decision to retire.
Mr Wright, meanwhile, said it had been a “privilege and a pleasure” to be NHS Grampian’s chief executive.
While his tenure may have brought more stability to the board, news of his departure has sparked fresh fears over the future of the north-east’s service.
Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West MSP, said: “NHS Grampian is in danger of being left rudderless at a time when the health board is struggling to meet key targets.
“Malcolm Wright is clearly very talented, and we wish him well in retirement.
“However, his impending departure will leave a big gap to be filled.
“It also throws up questions for the health board. If the chief executive is retiring in just two months’ time, then presumably this has not come as a surprise. His replacement should already be lined up, but I am not sure that is the case.”
Mr Wright’s arrival in the north-east came after a number of high-profile exits had quit in the wake of a series of crises, including his predecessor Richard Carey.
Early on in his tenure the board was rocked by two damning reports, by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), which called for major reforms in the general surgery department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Eight senior medics, including the then Queen’s Surgeon Zygmunt Krukowski were also suspended after they came under investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC).
All of the medics involved, including Prof Krukowski, were later cleared, though many of them eventually quit the board.
There have also been criticisms over the reliance on agency staff and cancelled operations.
However Mr Wright has overseen the construction of the Lady Helen Wood visitor car park at ARI, funded by Sir Ian, and also leaves months before construction begins on the new Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Centre at the Foresterhill Campus.
Last night he thanked everyone at the board for their “shared commitment” in helping patients.
He added: “I am very proud of all the staff of NHS Grampian and I wish them all well for the future. I have been very grateful for the opportunity to serve as the chief executive of NHS Grampian and I will miss my friends and colleagues. NHS Grampian has my personal best wishes.”
The board’s chairman, Professor Stephen Logan, said: “Malcolm’s contribution across NHS Scotland and to Grampian over the last four years has been immense and we have benefited enormously from his drive, energy, enthusiasm and experience.”
