Councillors Angus Graham and Angus McCormack have called on the non-executive directors of the Western Isles Health Board to take back control of health board matters as the WIHB appears to the public to be spiralling out of control. Recent utterances by the Medical Director and his new spokesperson, John Macleod, descend into greater and greater farce.

"The WIHB is a laughing stock. Not only here in the Outer Hebrides but throughout Scotland with the national media poking fun at the manner in which the board conducts its affairs. It is time that the non-executive directors of the board took back control of the conduct of board affairs in order the hole already dug by the Medical Director, Dr John Smith, is not made even deeper by the shovelling of his new so-called PR man.

The public is tired of the overstated and sometimes insulting briefings emanating in the name of the board. This latest proposed witch-hunt of its own staff merely serves to confirm, in the minds of staff and public, that an ethos of bullying predominates.

It may, of course, be difficult for the non-executives to respond since the Chair, of late, appears to have abrogated totally all responsibility; he is neither seen nor heard.

Notwithstanding, non-executive members must realise that they are appointed to represent the people of the Outer Hebrides not to shore up a failed administration. it is time for them to stand and be counted and to demonstrate their commitment to the health service in the Outer Hebrides."

Angus Graham 01851 703935
Angus McCormack 01851 704211

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk