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Dumfries and Galloway NHS appointments

16/07/2003

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm today announced the appointment of Mr Michael Keggans, Mr Edwin Hunter and Mrs Heather Brash as Members of Dumfries & Galloway NHS Board.

Mr Keggans and Mrs Brash's appointments commenced on July 1, 2003, and will be for four years. Mr Hunter's appointment commenced on July 1, 2003, and will be for three years.

Mr Chisholm said:

"I am delighted to announce these important new appointments.

"Mr Keggans, Mr Hunter and Mrs Brash have already demonstrated, through the selection process, a clear understanding of the issues being faced within NHS Dumfries & Galloway, and each will bring energy and enthusiasm to the Board.

Mr John Ross, Chair of Dumfries & Galloway NHS Board, said:

"I am delighted with these new appointments and the breadth of experience they will bring to the Board. I very much welcome the new additions to the Board which will allow us to strengthen the Board while facing the new challenges which lie ahead."

Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board is responsible for the strategic planning of health services and the development of measures to improve the health of the community in the Dumfries and Galloway region. To meet those needs it has an annual budget of over £161 million.

Michael Keggans, 40, is Managing Director of the Galloway Gazette Group. He is a Board Member of Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway, a Director of the Crichton Development Company, and a Trustee of the Crichton Foundation. He does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Edwin Hunter, 59,who lives in Thornhill, is Chair and a founding Director of Penman Engineering Ltd. He was previously a Trustee of Dumfries & Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals Trust and latterly a Trustee of Dumfries & Galloway Primary Care NHS Trust. He does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Heather Brash, 59, is Operations Manager at Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service. She has held various public, voluntary and community positions and is currently a director of Alcohol & Drug Support SW Scotland, and chair of the local Mental Health Forum. She is also a member of the Scottish Consumer Council.

None of the appointees have been involved in any political activity within the last five years.

It is expected that as a Member they will contribute around eight hours per week for which the annual remuneration is £7,000.

The appointments was made in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA). A statement of validation from the Independent Assessor appointed by OCPA has been obtained. This confirms full compliance with the OCPA Code of Practice at each stage of the appointments process.

The establishment of 15 new NHS Boards was announced in 'Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change' (Scottish Executive Health Department, December 2000). Further details were given in the policy document 'Rebuilding our National Health Service' (May 2001). NHS Boards have been designed to simplify and rationalise existing NHS decision-making structures and create greater accountability and transparency, while providing strategic leadership and direction in each local health system.

Partnership for Care: Scotland's Health White Paper includes proposals for changes to the governance arrangements for local NHS systems which are intended to improve service organisation and delivery throughout NHSScotland. Organisational barriers in local NHS systems will be removed as far as possible, and clear duties are now placed on NHS Boards to enhance corporacy, partnership and clarity of direction both within and beyond each NHS Board area.

This item was placed on the website on July 18, 2003.

Page updated: Wednesday, July 21, 2004