The chief executive of NHS Highland announced today that she will stand down at the end of the year.
Elaine Mead has worked for the NHS for over 30 years, joining Highland in February 2005 from West Dorset General Hospitals.
She said: “It has been an absolute privilege to have spent my career in the NHS, with the best of times here in Highland.
“This week, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, I want to pay tribute to all of our fantastic staff up and down the country but in particular to my colleagues here in NHS Highland.
“There is no question our frontline staff are very highly regarded and it’s been humbling to see the difference they make to people’s lives day in and day out.
“Our staff support and practice great medicine and provide great care. I warmly and sincerely thank each and every one of them.”
Starting out her professional career as a diagnostic radiographer, Professor Mead was appointed as NHS Highland’s chief executive in January 2011.
The next year she was part of the senior leadership team to become the first board in Scotland to integrate health and social care services in partnership with the Highland Council.
Chair of NHS Highland, David Alston, said: “Elaine has been an outstanding and passionate leader of NHS Highland. She should be very proud of leading on so many positive developments.
“She has been an innovative and forward thinking leader, nationally and internationally respected and she has really put NHS Highland on the map.
“She will be a huge loss to NHS Highland but leaves behind a tremendous legacy and strong leadership team. I personally want to thank her for her invaluable support to me as chair and I wish her and her family the very best for the future.”
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