By Bill Heaney
Mrs Jane Grant, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has announced her retirement.
Mrs Grant has held the role of Chief Executive for seven years and has worked for the NHS for more than 41 years.
She joined the NHS in 1983 as a Management Services Officer within Highland Health Board and progressed through a variety of management posts in Lanarkshire and Glasgow before being appointed to her first Chief Executive role as Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley in October 2013.
Mrs Grant returned to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in 1 April 2017 as Chief Executive.
Chief Executive Jane Grant and former chairperson John Brown.
Since then she has been, with former Health Board chairperson John Brown, at the centre of significant controversy, particularly in relation to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital, both of which serve West Dunbartonshire.
Mr Brown and Mrs Grant were both under pressure from Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson to resign over events there. Mr Brown quit earlier this year.
Announcing her retirement, Mrs Grant said: “I have decided to retire after 41 years’ service to NHS Scotland. Within that time, I have been fortunate to work in five Health Boards across Scotland.
“I have had the privilege of working with many outstanding colleagues but I believe the time is right to hand over the reins to a new Chief Executive.”
Dr Lesley Thomson KC, Chair, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Jane has been a tremendous Chief Executive, working tirelessly for patients and steering the organisation to deliver the best possible healthcare for the local population.
“On a personal level, she has provided immense support to me in the months since I took up post and I am very grateful for her support. On behalf of the Board, I thank Jane for her service to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
Mrs Grant will remain in post until the end of the year.
Top picture: Mrs Grant on a visit to Vale of Leven Hospital with former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman who has herself now retired from the Scottish Government. Others in the picture are campaigners to keep open the hospital in Alexandria and to bring back the Accident and Emergency Unit that was withdrawn during Health Board budget cuts.