NHS Tayside has appointed Jim Crichton to the new post of director of mental health services.
The board say the move underlines its commitment to driving forward improvements in mental health care.
Mr Crichton is presently director of primary care and mental health services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, where he is responsible for shaping and delivering Mind Your Health the local mental health strategy.
He previously spent 20 years in mental health services in Glasgow, where he trained as a mental health nurse and fulfilled a range of roles in the speciality.
He will provide executive leadership to the development and delivery of NHSTayside’s mental health services, working with associate medical director Dr Neil Prentice and associate nurse director Karen Robertson.
He will also work alongside deputy chief executive Caroline Selkirk to agree local delivery plans with each of the three community health partnerships and support the development of the next phase of NHSTayside’s mental health strategy.
He said: “Throughout my career I have been passionate about delivering excellence in mental health services.
“Having visited the new inpatient services at Murray Royal and Stracathro Hospitals, I was impressed by the commitment of NHS Tayside to the development of its mental health services.
“I am really looking forward to making a positive difference for patients and their families.”