The chief executive of telephone helpline NHS 24 has resigned.
Sandy Forrest has stepped down just six months after he joined the telephone and online health service.
His resignation comes two weeks after a sheriff ruled that a toddler's death could have been avoided if NHS 24 staff had called an ambulance.
However, a NHS 24 spokeswoman said his sudden departure was not connected to the recent fatal accident inquiry into the death of Kyle Brown.
NHS 24 chairman Allan Watson said Mr Forrest, a former police chief, stood down because of other commitments
He said: "It is with regret that the board of NHS 24 has accepted the resignation of Sandy Forrest as chief executive.
"We respect him for doing so and wish him continued success in his career in the future"
"He joined us holding a number of external commitments which he had been hoping to balance with his responsibilities at NHS 24. However, that has proved to be impossible, hence his decision to step down.
"We respect him for doing so and wish him continued success in his career in the future."
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "What matters to the Scottish Government is that NHS 24 sustains the high level of service it is now providing to those Scots who have an urgent need to access out-of-hours services."
She said that Dr George Crookes, the chief operating officer of NHS 24, would assume interim responsibility for the organisation.
Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "This could result in another period of instability, contributing to the unstable history of the establishment of NHS 24."
Emergency action
Kyle Brown, who was 20 months old, died from meningococcal septicaemia in April last year.
His mother Lisa Thomson was sent to the primary care centre at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by taxi after NHS 24 staff failed to recognise the need for an ambulance.
The youngster was later transferred to the city's Royal Hospital for Sick Children but died the following day.
Following a fatal accident inquiry at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Andrew Lothian said Kyle's death might have been avoided if a 999 call had been made to take him to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children by ambulance.
He found that his death "might have been avoided" with the provision of a tool which would have enabled the call handler to spot the condition and initiate emergency action.
Since the youngster's death NHS 24 has introduced changes to its call procedures, including revised training for all staff.
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