NHS chief criticised for weekend travel from Orkney to his home on the Black Isle

THE chief executive of NHS Orkney has been criticised for travelling between the Northern Isles and his family home near Inverness at weekends.

Iain Stewart, the former head of NHS Highland, took up his post in Kirkwall last year, but during the coronavirus outbreak it has emerged he has travelled to his home on the Black Isle on numerous occasions.

When asked Mr Stewart described his trips as "essential".

Mr Stewart gave up his post at NHS Highland after a year as chief executive in January 2020.

The Scottish Government said that as Mr Stewart's accommodation in Orkney was provided by NHS Orkney, and therefore rules about travel to second homes do not apply to him. The spokesman also said Mr Stewart was in a key role at the board and was pivotal to the safe delivery of healthcare on the islands.

Orkney MSP Liam MacArthur described Mr Stewart's journeys "at best inadvisable", adding "those leading the fight against Covid–19 should be setting an example."

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