Under-fire health chiefs have ignored calls to suspend their chief executive, John Burns.
It comes in the wake of the latest scandal to engulf Ayrshire and Arran’s maternity service.
A government inquiry has been ordered into the department at Crosshouse, after it was revealed a number of infant deaths were “avoidable”.
Bosses now face their second high-level probe in four years, following the investigation into a cover-up of Adverse Event Reviews in 2012.
Whistleblower Rab Wilson, who exposed the files from 2012, insists Burns should now fall on his sword as the health board lurches towards another crisis.
In a letter to board chair, Martin Cheyne, he wrote: “I had meetings in 2013 with your CEO Mr John Burns during which he gave me his personal assurance that ‘the buck stopped with him’ and the usual tired mantra of ‘lessons will be learned’ was rolled out.
“I also attach an NHS A&A ‘improvement plan’ signed by John Burns.
“He gives a great many ‘assurances’ in this document; ‘assurances’ that now have a very hollow ring to them.
“Well, it appears that lessons were not learnt, Martin, and because lessons were not learnt innocent people have died.
“Given that these deaths were entirely preventable and avoidable and that John Burns failed to learn lessons from the previous HIS national review, what disciplinary action do you now intend to take against John Burns?
“If this were a frontline nurse or doctor presiding over such a catastrophe they would be at the very least suspended immediately pending a full independent investigation of what went wrong.”
A BBC investigation revealed there had been six “unnecessary” deaths of babies at Crosshouse since 2008.
Health secretary Shona Robison has since ordered an inquiry to be carried out by a team from Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
But board chair Mr Cheyne refused to be drawn on whether he would consider a suspension for his CEO.
He said: “Perinatal loss and stillbirth is a tragedy for everyone involved and our staff are committed to providing the most appropriate support and care for families when this occurs.
“My heartfelt condolences are with the families who have experienced this tragedy.
“While we are unable to make any comment on individual cases, I would offer my assurance that we absolutely take these matters seriously.”
He added: “Following the 2012 Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) review into our processes for conducting Adverse Events Reviews, we conducted an organisation-wide review.
“Our Adverse Event policy is continually kept under review to ensure that ongoing learning and improvements are taken forward.
“We ensured that all learnings and recommendations from the 2012 HIS review were implemented and HIS reviewed these in 2014.
“Since 2012, we have continued to strengthen our governance processes and risk management across NHS Ayrshire and Arran, including our maternity services.
“At all times we encourage an open and transparent culture and we will co-operate fully with the announced HIS review into maternity services.
“NHS Ayrshire & Arran has confidence in the safety of our maternity services and in the contribution that our all staff make towards providing clinical care, governance, learning and continuous improvement.”