Tim Davison has been in the role for eight years and spent almost 37 years in the NHS in Scotland.

It comes amid further delays to the opening of the new Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and the threat of a £4.8 million cut to social care services despite a crisis in the sector.

Responding to the announcement of Mr Davison's retirement later this year, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "Tim Davison’s career within the NHS has spanned the last 37 years and I’d like wish him the best for his retirement.

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Tim Davison at the media preview to the new Sick Kids Hospital, before Health Secretary Jeane Freeman ordered the delay after last-minute checks revealed the ventilation in critical care areas did not meet the required standard. Pic: Scott Louden.

"Before Tim leaves steps will be taken to recruit his successor. This will enable us to put the necessary arrangements in place to ensure continuity of service and the best possible health and social care for the people of Lothian."

Career

Mr Davison joined the NHS in Scotland as a graduate management trainee in 1983.

He has held leading roles in the NHS in Scotland for more than 26 years. From 1994 to 2005 he was chief executive of three NHS Trusts in Greater Glasgow, and then chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire from 2005 to 2012 before taking over at NHS Lothian.

Brian Houston, NHS Lothian chair, said: "Tim Davison is an exceptional leader who has displayed outstanding commitment to the NHS in Scotland throughout his impressive 37 year career.

"He has transformed the culture at NHS Lothian to one that is supportive and transparent and which prizes teamwork and respect. He has a formidable record of achievement and his focus on improving the quality of patient care will be a lasting legacy at NHS Lothian.

"We’ll be wishing him a very happy and, I’m sure, productive retirement in which to pursue his other interests."

'Huge privilege'

Mr Davison said: "It has been a huge privilege to have played my part in the leadership of one of Scotland’s best loved public services and to complete my career with eight years at the helm of the NHS Board serving Scotland’s capital city and the surrounding Lothians.

"I am looking forward now to having time to pursue my many outside interests and to handing the baton of responsibility over to my successor to take NHS Lothian forward into the new decade.

"I would like to thank my board, my leadership team and the wider staff body in NHS Lothian for their unfailing support in what many recognise is a pretty demanding and often unforgiving role. I wish them all future success and happiness."