NHS Orkney chairman “sorry” for upsetting colleagues

In a statement issued today, NHS Orkney has said board chairman John Ross Scott is “sorry that he upset colleagues” after making comments in support of Scottish independence.

In this week’s The Orcadian Mr Scott is quoted as saying “the future of the NHS in Scotland can only be secured with a Yes vote”.

His comments coincided with the visit of deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon to the county last week.

At the same time, the SNP released a statement headed “Orkney health chief backs Yes to protect our NHS.”

However, NHS Orkney were quick to stress that Mr Scott’s comments were his personal views and not these of the board.

Today’s statement said: “Mr Scott is sorry that he has upset colleagues and has acknowledged that giving a personal view can be misinterpreted, given his role as chair of the board.

“Mr Scott has set out his personal view in this matter, and was clear he was not speaking in his capacity of board chair or on behalf of the board.

“As with other NHS board members elsewhere in Scotland who have given their personal opinion on these matters, Mr Scott’s remarks were made with full cognisance of the established guidance.”