The resignation of a clinical physician in Orkney has sparked calls for an independent investigation into the “inadequacies” of the board.
Dr Roelf Dijkhuizen said it was with “great sadness” he was stepping down from his position as clinical quality advisor at NHS Orkney.
But he said he felt it was important to raise issues of patient safety following a series of failed attempts to persuade the board of their “shortcomings”.
In his letter of resignation, widely distributed to NHS Orkney staff, he said the health board’s “inability to deal with the Covid-19 crisis” was the result of “dysfunction”.
He said the challenges posed by the epidemic had exposed the lack of trust within the board and that the micro-managing of “passionate, resourceful and dedicated” staff had left them “disempowered”.
Dr Dijkhuizen also wrote that staff had been “pushed about, demoted and at times humiliated”.
MSP Liam McArthur is now calling for a full investigation.
He said: “The concerns raised by Dr Dijkhuizen in his resignation letter are extremely serious and will have given rise to understandable anxiety within the local community.
“It is essential, therefore, immediate action is now taken to fully investigate these allegations so that any failings can be quickly identified and addressed.
“Any investigation must also be seen to be fair and impartial.
“Given that Dr Dijkhuizen’s criticisms are directed largely at members of the executive team and board, it is hard to see how NHS Orkney can simply be left to investigate themselves.
“I have therefore written to the Health Secretary and the chair of NHS Orkney seeking clarification about how this investigation will be carried out and reinforcing the need for urgency, transparency and independence in the interests of staff, patients and the wider community.”
In a statement, NHS Orkney confirmed Mr Dijkhuizen had stepped down from his position.
