THE country's top nurse -who has been praised for her work on behalf of patients and NHS staff - is leaving her post with the Scottish Government.

Ros Moore, 57, has decided to quit her job as Chief Nursing Officer at the end of this year.

Her departure comes at a time when Scottish Government finance directors are warning the health service faces a funding gap of £400-£450 million and concern has been raised about the progress being made in the vital area of community health and social care.

Matt McLaughlin, lead organiser for nursing union Unison, called for her position to be filled quickly so a replacement is ready when she leaves office in December.

A successor for former Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns has not been appointed yet and he announced his resignation in January.

Mr McLaughlin said of Ms Moore: "She takes the time to listen to people and has always put patient care central to all that she does."

Theresa Fyffe, director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, said: "In the time she has been in the job, Ros Moore has been a real advocate for nursing in Scotland and has worked hard to make her mark, not only on policy issues but also with the nurses working daily in our health services."

Announcing her decision yesterday, Mr Moore said it had been a privilege to work as CNO and she thanked the "remarkable people we have in our nursing, midwifery and allied health professions workforce across Scotland".

She added that taking the decision to step down was a "hard one".