The Scottish government is advertising for a new chief executive of NHS Scotland.

The person appointed will also have the role of Director-General of Health and Social Care – the Scottish government’s top civil servant.

The post became vacant in May when Malcolm Wright retired on health grounds.

In the interim, the job is being done by two people: Professor John Connaghan, who stepped up from being NHS Scotland’s chief officer to be interim chief executive; and Elinor Mitchell, who has been interim director general having been Director Of Community Health and Social Care.

The Scottish government’s recruitment advert for the post describes it as “the most significant, high profile and influential leadership role in the Scottish public health sector”, adding that it is an opportunity to “lead a core public service at a time of unprecedented challenge, as we recover and renew our health and social care services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.”

Applications for the fixed term post, which carries a salary of £190,000 a year, close on 6 September.

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