Top change at troubled NHS board

Tom Divers will retire on 31 March 2009

The chief executive of Scotland's largest health board has announced that he is to retire in March next year.

Tom Divers said it was time for a "more energised successor" to take up the reins at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The authority recently clashed with Scottish ministers over plans to close services at the Vale of Leven hospital.

It was also heavily criticised for its handling of an outbreak of Clostridium difficile, which claimed nine lives at the Dunbartonshire site.

Mr Divers apologised to families affected by the outbreak after an independent report was heavily critical of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Families have since announced their intention to pursue legal action against the authority.

Speaking about his decision to retire next year, Mr Divers said: "Leading NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a role I view as the pinnacle of one of the most privileged careers which any NHS manager can have experienced.

"The time has now come when I should step aside into retirement from the NHS and leave it to a fresher, more energised successor to take forward the board's key objectives over the next five years."