The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Appointments to NHS Highland

23/01/2004

A number of new non-executive member appointments to Highland NHS Board were announced today.

Health Minister 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 Highland, and each will bring energy and enthusiasm to the Board."

Mrs Caroline Thomson, Chair of Highland NHS Board said:

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome our new non-executive members to Highland NHS Board. They are people of real ability and high calibre who will bring an important range of skills to NHS Highland. These are exciting and challenging times for the NHS and I wish them very well indeed."

Highland 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 Highland region. To meet those needs it has an annual budget of over £235 million.

Mrs Heather Sheerin is a self-employed businesswoman with a background in business, housing, education and health. She was Chair of Highland Primary Care NHS Trust. Mrs Sheerin is to be appointed for four years from 1 April 2004. She has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years, and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mrs Margaret Davidson is a partner in a Garden Nursery. She is also a Member of the New Opportunity Land Fund Committee, Forestry for People Advisory Panel, the Chair of the Community Woodland Association Scotland and Director of Reforesting Scotland. Mrs Davidson is to be appointed for two years from 1 April 2004. Within the last five years, she has obtained office as an Independent Highland Councillor. She does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mr James Cooper is retired from The Royal Bank of Scotland when he was Regional Manager for the North of Scotland. He was then a Director of Inverness Medical Ltd for a period of two years. He was also a Member and Vice-Chair of Highland Primary Care NHS Trust. Mr Cooper is to be appointed for two years from 1 April 2004. He has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years, and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mr Stewart Whiteford is a partner in a farming business. He is also Chair of the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative of NHS Scotland and was the Chair of Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Mr Whiteford is to be appointed for two years from 1 April 2004. He has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years, and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

Mr Douglas Graham is a partner with Messrs Macleod & MacCallum, Solicitors and Estate Agents, Inverness. He was a founder Director and Chairman of Highland Hospice. He is a Member of the Scottish Land Fund. He currently chairs the Audit Committee and is a Scotland Committee and Board Member of the Community Fund (formerly National Lottery Charities Board). He is also a Member of the Scottish Committee of the Council on Tribunals for which he receives remuneration of £8,707. Mr Graham is to be appointed for four years from 1 April 2004. He has not been involved in any political activity within the last five years

Ms Pamela Courcha is a self-employed Counsellor, Trainer and Supervisor, and has two children with disabilities. She is also a Member of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care for which she receives remuneration of £7,336. Ms Courcha is to be appointed for four years from 1 April 2004. She has been actively involved with the Scottish National Party within the last five years, she was nominated as Joint Vice-Chair of a local branch which was subsequently dissolved.

It is expected that as a Member they will contribute around 8 hours per week for which the annual remuneration is £7,160.

This Ministerial public appointment 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 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.

The Health White Paper "Partnership for Care" includes proposals for the dissolution of NHS Trusts and changes to governance arrangements for local NHS systems. These changes are intended to improve service organisation and delivery throughout NHSScotland and to engage with patients, as key drivers of change and a fundamental source of the definition of quality.