A FAILED recruitment drive to find a new chief executive to run Scotland’s largest health board has cost taxpayers up to £50,000.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed it paid recruitment consultancy, Gatenby Sanderson, “up to £50,000” to find a replacement for Robert Calderwood, who had been expected to retire in January.

The health board declined to confirm exactly how much had been paid to the firm.

However, none of the shortlisted candidates who went forward to interview were hired and a second recruitment drive, led internally by NHS Scotland’s own human resources department, has now been launched.

Mr Calderwood has been asked to remain in post until the end of next month while the search for his replacement continues.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Spending £50,000 on recruitment consultants who have clearly failed at their job is £50,000 that is not being spent on patient care.”

Anas Sarwar, Labour health spokesman, added: “With services facing closure or downgrading, people will rightly think this is money that could be better spent on patient care.”

A spokeswoman for the health board said: “The board sought an executive search company to support its recruitment of a new chief executive. Gatenby Sanderson was the successful company both on quality and value for money.

“Following an unsuccessful recruitment process we have begun a second recruitment process and are confident an appointment will be made shortly.”