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Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board

19/01/2004

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm today announced six new non-executive member appointments to Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board.

They are:

Professor Gordon Wilson is a retired University Professor. He is a Director and Past President of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was the Chair of Ayrshire & Arran Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Vice-Chair of Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board. Professor Wilson is to be appointed for three years from April 1, 2004. He has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years, and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Dr David Price is a self-employed technical magazine editor. He is also the Secretary of the Arran Health Services Consultative Group and was a member of the working group which generated the NHS Arran Property Strategy in 2002. Dr Price is to be appointed for four years from April 1, 2004. He has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Ms Elaine O'Connell is a solicitor for MacPherson Maguire Cook Solicitors. She was a member of Ayrshire & Arran Primary Care NHS Trust. Ms O'Connell is to be appointed for three years from April 1, 2004. She has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years, and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mr Martin Cheyne is a retired Mechanical Engineer who has held many senior positions within companies owned by ICI, in many different parts of the world. He is currently Governor of Glasgow Caledonian University and was a member of Ayrshire & Arran Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Mr Cheyne is to be appointed for four years from April 1, 2004. Within the past five years he has canvassed on behalf of both the Conservative and Labour Parties. He does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mrs Kirsty Darwent is a Practitioner working for the Breastfeeding Network. She has also been employed within the NHS as a Psychotherapist in a diverse range of roles within Adult, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. She is to be appointed for four years from April 1, 2004. She has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years, and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mrs Rita Miller is currently a Parliamentary Assistant. She was previously a member of Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board and an elected Councillor of South Ayrshire Council. Mrs Miller is to be appointed for three years from April 1, 2004. She has been actively involved in a number of roles with the Scottish Labour Party within the last five years including obtaining office as a local councillor, standing as a candidate, speaking on behalf of party, canvassing and also being the Vice-Chair of the Constituency Labour Party. Mrs Miller does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mr Chisholm said:

"I am delighted to announce these appointments. Each member has already demonstrated, through the selection process, a clear understanding of the issues being faced within NHS Ayrshire & Arran, and each will bring energy and enthusiasm to the Board."

Mr George Irving, Chair of Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board, said:

"We welcome the Minister's appointment of six non-executive members to a reconstituted Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board. Each one has much to contribute from a wide range of experience in a variety of settings and all have a common commitment to developing our services for those we serve, the people of Ayrshire & Arran.

"The six new non-executive members were selected from a total of 105 applications. We were much encouraged by the widespread interest in our service and by the willingness of so many people to contribute to NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

"It was an extremely difficult task to recommend only six appointments to the Minister and we were very pleased to receive his prompt and positive response. We are delighted to be joined by six colleagues who have so much to contribute."

Ayrshire & Arran 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 Ayrshire & Arran region. To meet those needs it has an annual budget of over £398 million.

It is expected that as a Member they will contribute around eight hours per week for which the annual remuneration is £7,160.

The appointments were 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.

Page updated: Saturday, July 17, 2004