Health chief at audit hearing

NHS Highland’s outgoing chief executive gave evidence at the Scottish Parliament’s public audit and post-legislative scrutiny committee.

Elaine Mead was called to discuss financial sustainability as the board is under scrutiny because £15 million of brokerage was needed to break even despite making “unprecedented” savings of £30 million.

In recent month NHS Highland has been criticised over bullying and financial mismanagement allegations.

MSP Edward Mountain vowed to “press the Scottish Government and the senior executive management of NHS Highland for the improvements our patients need and deserve.”

A NHS Highland spokesman said: “NHS Highland would like to thank the public audit and post-legislative scrutiny committee for the opportunity to highlight the issues of sustainability across our board area and indeed NHS Scotland.”

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