Constantly revolving door of chief executives at NHS Highland is no more as new health boss intends to stay the course
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IN taking up her post as chief executive of NHS Highland, Pam Dudek is the health authority’s fourth boss in just two years – but insists she intends to stay.
In her role, she will oversee the health of more than 320,000 people across the Highlands, including Argyll and Bute, while the health authority has a revenue budget of more than
£920 million for the current financial year and a capital budget of £65 million.
She replaces Paul Hawkins, who has retired having arrived in January to replace Iain Stewart, who left to take up an ill-fated role with NHS Orkney.
Mr Stewart had replaced Elaine Mead, whose eight-year tenure ended in controversy while the health board faced claims of bullying and harassment.
Asked if she will last the course, Mrs Dudek said: “I have been asked that three times in the last week! I have no intention of going anywhere.
“My last job before this was equally challenging.
“I have worked in the NHS for nearly 40 years and I have not got a reputation of not lasting in a job. I have a reputation which is very positive, and I hope I don’t ruin that.”
She began her career as a nurse cadet in 1982 and completed her training as a psychiatric nurse with NHS Tayside in 1987.
Since then she had a variety of nursing and leadership roles, including chief officer for the Moray Integrated Joint Board in which she led the set-up of the new model of health and social care integration, and had oversight of primary care services across Grampian.
Married to a kitchen and bathroom trader, she has three children and four stepchildren and a total of 11 grandchildren.
“I like spending time with family,” she said. “Family are of huge importance to me and it is difficult as we don’t live close, but I am in touch with family pretty much on a daily basis.”
She also enjoys the outdoors and walking.
