Scandal-hit NHS Highland has suffered another blow as the health board has so far failed to recruit a new chief executive.
Elaine Mead is due to leave the position at the end of the year and attempt to find her replacement was launched more than three months ago in July.
Yet attempts to fill the £137,379 a year post have been unsuccessful.
The Scottish Government is responsible for the recruitment of a new chief executive. A spokesman said: “NHS Highland’s recruitment process for a new chief executive is ongoing.
“We will continue to engage with the health board and provide support so that an appropriate appointment can be made as soon as possible.”
The post has been advertised throughout the country. The closing date for applications was September 14 and it had been expected that the new boss would be announced this month.
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: “Efforts to recruit a new chief executive are ongoing, and we are in discussions with the Scottish Government on taking this forward.
“NHS Highland’s current chief executive Elaine Mead steps down at the end of December. In line with normal practice, an acting Chief Executive will be appointed should there be an interim period before the appointment of a new permanent Chief Executive.”
The news was treated with dismay by local politicians. David Stewart, Scottish Labour’s shadow health minister, said: “NHS Highland needs a strong direction and a professional who can steer the authority through one of the worst periods in is history.
“Is the health service leadership too toxic to touch?”
Professor Mead has had a career in the NHS spanning over 30 years. She announced in July that she decided the time was right to move on and pursue her passion for quality improvement.
Starting out her professional career as a diagnostic radiographer, Professor Mead was appointed as NHS Highland’s chief executive in January 2011. She first arrived at the health board in 2005.