Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Amanda Croft, is to quit her role with immediate effect for personal reasons after less than nine months in the role.

Professor Croft, who was appointed in December 2020, will be replaced by the director of nursing at NHS Lothian.

Meanwhile Professor Linda Bauld, Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, has been appointed to the role of Interim Chief Social Policy Adviser within the Scottish Government.

Professor Croft had previously served as Chief Executive of NHS Grampian.

The Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals for NHS Lothian, Professor Alex McMahon takes up the interim CNO post at the beginning of October.

Professor McMahon began his nurse training in 1983 and is a registered mental health and general nurse.

After working as head of policy at the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland, Professor McMahon moved to the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca as their head of government affairs for Scotland and Ireland before joining the Scottish government, leaving five and a half years later to move to NHS Lothian.

He is an honorary professor at both the University of Stirling and Queen Margaret University.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf this afternoon paid tribute to Amanda Croft:

“I would like to thank Amanda for all her hard work as Chief Nursing Officer and I am very sorry to see her leave.

“Since taking up the role she has played a key part in our response to the pandemic, and has brought enormous knowledge and experience to the role. I wish her all the best for the future.

“I also welcome Alex McMahon to the role of Interim Chief Nursing Officer. With his strong professional background, I am confident he will bring excellent leadership, and help us to continue our work to get the health service back on track after the challenges of the past year.”

Professor Linda Bauld is being seconded to the role of Interim Chief Social Policy Advisor to Scottish minsters for up to nine months from next month to support the covid recovery programme.

In a release published by the University of Edinburgh, Professor Bauld says:

“I'm delighted to be taking up the role of Chief Social Policy Adviser on an interim basis during a critical period for Scotland's progress through the covid-19 pandemic.

"As the immediate threat to health from the virus diminishes at the population level, the focus now shifts to COVID recovery. I look forward to working with the Scottish government and a wide range of organisations with a particular focus on addressing the social harms arising from the pandemic.

"I will continue with my university and related responsibilities on a part time basis while in this role. There is much to be done, and I hope my contributions will make a positive difference for communities across the country."

Read more: Government appoints three new senior clinicians; Former NHS Scotland CEO moves to health board; Care home mask rule cannot be sustained.

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