Burden has served as chief executive since 2022, leading the organisation through the early post-pandemic period and a time of significant challenge and change.

She said: ‘Over the past three years, I have had the honour of working alongside exceptional colleagues and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together in service of our patients and communities.

‘Now is the right time for a new chief executive who can build on this work and continue to drive forward sustainable improvements in the health and wellbeing of Ayrshire citizens.'

Lesley Bowie, chair of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, added: ‘Claire has led our NHS board in the remobilisation of service post pandemic and advanced our efficiency and improvement programme, whilst creating a vision for improving staff experience through her leadership on culture and inclusion.'