Malcolm Wright has resigned from his post as Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and the government's Director General of health and social care on health grounds.

Malcolm Wright was made permanent head of NHS Scotland and director general in June 2019 after acting as interim lead following Paul Gray’s departure in February last year.

The government says he is having to step down due to an underlying medical condition.

Mr Wright has worked in the NHS since starting as an administrative trainee at Lothian Health Board in 1975.

Two interim appointments have been made to replace him during what the government described as an “intense and challenging period of response and recovery” from covid-19.

Elinor Mitchell, Director for Community Health and Social Care, has been appointed as the Government’s interim Director General of Health and Social Care.

John Connaghan, Chief Performance Officer NHS Scotland and Director of Delivery and Resilience, has been made interim Chief Executive of NHS Scotland. 

Announcing the resignation Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman said:

“I am very sorry that Malcolm Wright has had to resign...I know this was a difficult decision but one he has had to make for medical reasons. He leaves with my greatest respect and gratitude.

“I have valued the wealth of knowledge and experience that he brought to the role, especially at this challenging time. I wish him well for a happy and healthy future.

“I know that Elinor Mitchell and John Connaghan have worked closely with Malcolm as key members of his team and that they share my determination to equip our health and care system to meet the current challenges and to continue delivering an excellent service for the people of Scotland.

“I am confident they will continue to meet the challenges we face and continue to give our service the leadership it deserves.”

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