Scottish Government denies health board merger

The Scottish Government have today denied that talks have been held around merging NHS Grampian, NHS Tayside and NHS Highland, due to difficulties in filling chief executive roles.

Responding to the reports a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are confident of the leadership in place across health boards. Where vacancies are going to occur, boards are already planning their recruitment processes and keeping us updated on the progress. There are absolutely no plans to merge health boards.”

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur also spoke out in response to the reports, emphasising the need to consider the repercussions for island health boards.

He said: “Patients in Orkney and Shetland rely heavily on these mainland boards, particularly NHS Grampian, for specialist treatment and care. Any proposals to merge NHS Grampian, NHS Highland and NHS Tayside, therefore, must take full account of the impact on island health boards.

“Traditionally, rural and island communities have not fared well from the centralisation of services. They will need some convincing therefore that their interests lie at the heart of these proposals.”