The interim head of NHS Lothian has been appointed as chief executive of the health board.

Calum Campbell, who previously led NHS Lanarkshire for six years, will oversee the task of returning health services to a “new normal” following the covid-19 pandemic.

He was appointed interim chief executive of NHS Lothian last month, when he took over from predecessor Tim Davison.

Esther Roberton, interim chair of NHS Lothian, said his wealth of experience, particularly in “harnessing innovation”, will be extremely valuable to the Board.

“We are welcoming Calum to NHS Lothian at a time when we are refreshing our strategic vision to implement the learning and innovation that has been the hallmark of our covid-19 response,” she said. 

“Calum is committed to working with the Board to ensure we move forward as one, in collaboration with our four Health and Social Care Partnerships to advance integration and continue to improve services for the people of Lothian.”

Mr Campbell, who first started working in the NHS in 1984, was previously the chief at NHS Borders for five years, before he moved to take charge of NHS Lanarkshire in 2015.

He said: “I am really delighted to be joining NHS Lothian at such an important time. I have been working in the interim post since June, which has allowed me to meet the teams and get to grips with the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“The remobilisation of health services as a result of covid-19 will be one of the toughest challenges facing health boards across Scotland, but I am confident we can continue to push boundaries and think differently to ensure our services can adapt and evolve to continue to provide the highest quality patient care.”

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