THE resignation of NHS Tayside's whistleblowing champion, the latest in a series of disturbing revelations about this health board's governance, together with other dubious bureaucratic practices employed by their counterparts elsewhere, require the Scottish Government to address the fact that accountability no longer features in their decision-making processes ("Stress and bullying are blamed for suicide of NHS doctor", The Herald, September 21).

For example, NHS Tayside Health Board appropriated charitable donations to supplement hospital running costs, while the conduct of costly, purported consultation exercises on proposed cuts to services by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board rendered it abundantly clear that the outcome was predetermined.

That the Scottish Government is prepared to countenance such behaviour without instituting an in-depth review of their function and make-up suggests that it is content to use the health boards as buffers to deflect criticism of its own shortcomings in health matters, regardless of their modi operandi.

Duncan Macintyre,

2 Fort Matilda Terrace, Greenock.