NHS Lothian contract questioned

Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Health Secretary, has requested that NHS Lothian give her an explanation regarding a £75,000 contract placed with HD Partners.

The trust's former chief executive, Professor James Barbour, is understood to have placed the contract with the management consultancy firm.

His recent retirement followed a furore over waiting times at NHS Lothian, where patients were removed from waiting lists if they declined appointments at English hospitals. 

A spokesperson for the trust said: "NHS Lothian employed HD Partners for two pieces of work related to waiting times management, which were procured by the former chief executive using his delegated powers at the time."

Ms Sturgeon said she has asked NHS Lothian to make clarifications relating to the contract they placed with the firm.

She is understood to be looking to understand if the contract was made in an "open and transparent" way.

Dave Watson from Unison, said: "It's right that the cabinet secretary asks questions about the nature of this contract." 

"This amounted to an amount of around £75,000. NHS Lothian has no further contracts with HD partners." 

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