For the purpose of enabling the business of the trust to be conducted in the absence of the chairman, the directors of an NHS trust may appoint one of the non-executive directors to be vice-chairman for such a period, not exceeding the remainder of his period as director of the trust, as they may specify on appointing him.

Any director so appointed may at any time resign from the office of vice-chairman by giving notice in writing to the chairman, and the directors of the trust may thereupon appoint another director as vice-chairman in accordance with paragraph (1).

Where the chairman of an NHS trust has died or has ceased to hold office or where he has been unable to perform his duties as chairman owing to illness, absence from Scotland or any other cause, the vice-chairman shall take the place of the chairman in the conduct of the business of the trust and references to the chairman shall, so long as there is no chairman able to perform his duties, be taken to include references to the vice-chairman.