PETER BATES (pictured), the chairman of NHS Tayside for the past seven years and who is suffering from cancer, yesterday announced his retirement.

Appointed in November 2000, he told the NHS Tayside board he intends to go by late summer—in November at the latest— and the search for a successor will begin next month when the post will be advertised by the Office for Public appointments.

Mr Bates said, “I would like to highlight and thank all the clinical, executive, teaching and research staff who have given me so freely their support, advice, guidance and wisdom and all the administrative, secretarial, cleaning, catering and technical staff who ensure that the NHS functions as an efficient organisation.

“All of the praise that is now rightly given to NHS Tayside belongs to them.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank board members who have given me support and encouragement through what were some difficult times.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by so many able and talented colleagues.”

Reflecting on his time in office, he continued, “As chairman I have attached great importance to the links with Dundee University, supporting life sciences, research and education.

“I believe we are on the threshold of a new era and this partnership will undoubtedly continue to benefit patients, not least with the new Clinical Research Centre and Translational Research Centre at Ninewells.

“I feel extremely privileged to have played a small part in NHS Tayside over the past seven years and have absolute confidence that NHS Tayside will continue to be regarded as one of the top-performing NHS systems in Scotland.

“Patients, families and communities are extremely fortunate to have available to them, a health system so committed to quality, excellence and safety.”

Mr Bates’ chairmanship began amid controversy with an investigation into alleged impropriety and there have also been the long-running sagas of Perth Royal Infirmary and Stracathro Hospital, Brechin.

He conceded, “We were on the front page of newspapers for almost all the wrong reasons but we have come a long way since then.

“There have always been difficult issues within the NHS—there are always strongly-held views—but I think we now have a sense of balance in Tayside.

“Whilst there are still strongly-held views, and I welcome that, there is a much greater sense of working in partnerships than there was seven years ago.”

Now “heading towards 63,” Mr Bates said he is not ready “to sit down with the tartan rug around my knees,” and if his health allows, hopes to work for the NHS in some capacity.

He has spoken openly of having a blood cancer for which there is no cure and of undergoing treatment aimed at prolonging his life.

In his letter of resignation to the Scottish Executive, he has said he will be happy to continue to undertake any task in the NHS that might be considered helpful.

He concluded, “It is not the chairman spending £2 million a day in the NHS on patient services.

“That money has to be spent wisely and efficiently and, for the seventh year in a row, the accounts have been signed off without any conditions.

“It is a big responsibility to meet all the targets within the money we have and provide such quality patient services.”

Such services are thanks to “dedicated, deeply caring staff,” he added.