Sandy Forrest, the chief executive of Scottish telephone helpline NHS 24, has resigned.
Mr Forrest’s resignation comes less than two weeks after a sheriff ruled that a toddler’s death from meningitis could have been avoided if NHS 24 staff had called an ambulance.
But an NHS 24 spokesman said his departure was not connected to the recent fatal accident inquiry into Kyle Brown’s death.
Allan Watson, the chairman of NHS 24, said: “It is with regret that the board of NHS 24 has accepted the resignation of Sandy Forrest as chief executive.
“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.”
Kyle Brown, who was 20-months-old, died from meningococcal septicaemia in April last year.
His mother, Lisa Thomson, had phoned NHS 24 for help after the youngster developed a bruise-like rash and became unwell.
But she had to wait 40 minutes for an NHS 24 nurse adviser to call her back. She was then sent to the primary care centre at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by taxi after staff failed to recognise the need for an ambulance.
Kyle was later transferred to the city’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children, but died the following day.
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