Mearns councillor Mr Howatson resigned days after Health Secretary Alex Neil received a letter from consultants at ARI which outlined their increasing concerns over management and staffing issues at NHS Grampian.
Last night, key figures who represent the interests of both hospital clinicians and GPs across Grampian at board level, described Mr Howatson’s resignation as “honourable.”
They said it was essential that chief executive Richard Carey and his three fellow executives were now held fully accountable for the way NHS Grampian is run.
The joint statement was released by Norman Binnie, chairman of the consultants’ sub-committee, Dr Rebecca Riddell, chairwoman of the GPs sub-committee and Dr Izhar Khan, chairman of the area medical committee.
The statement said: “In light of Councillor Bill Howatson’s honourable resignation, accountability now rests with the four executive members of the board with whom responsibility for corporate governance now lies.
“We agree with Councillor Howatson’s view that clinical engagement is essential for addressing the present situation at NHS Grampian. We hope the medical community will support and look forward to success under the new arrangements.”
Mr Howatson is leaving at a turbulent time for NHS Grampian.
In June, whistleblowers raised concerns with the Scottish Government over the breakdown in communication between clinicians and management at ARI and its impact on patient care.
A Health Improvement Scotland review of “leadership, culture, values and behaviours” at ARI was then announced.
The review is due to report next month.