This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards
04/11/2005
Health Minister Andy Kerr today announced the re-appointment of two members of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards.
The Advisory Committee advises ministers which specialists engaged in the NHS in Scotland should receive awards for professional distinction.
Mrs Heather Sheerin OBE, a former nurse from Paisley, and previously Chair of the Highland Primary Care NHS Trust, is a self-employed businesswomen with a background in business, housing, education and health. She is a former Chair of Albyn Housing Society and Highland Area Board of Young Enterprise Scotland and a former member of the Board of Scottish Homes and Inverness and Nairn Enterprise Company.
In addition, Mrs Sheerin has been Vice-Chair of the Management Board of Inverness College, a member of the Scottish Community of the Council of Tribunals and Vice-Chair of Inverness District Chamber of Commerce. She is currently Chair of Direct Health Services, a Director of the Highland Homeless Trust and a non-executive Director of the Board of NHS Highland for which she receives annual remuneration of £7,305.
Dr Mary Fraser has been conducting health research since her Department of Health studentship in 1984. She has held senior positions in both the NHS and in Universities in the UK. She recently set up the Research and Development Department in NHS Forth Valley. Her previous experience involves committee membership of Scottish Executive committees and working groups, particularly around nursing and NHS research and development. She does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
Mrs Sheerin's re-appointment will be for a period of three years from November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2008 and Dr Fraser's re-appointment will be for a period of two years from November 1, 2005to October 31, 2007.
As members they will be expected to commit time which cumulatively would be equivalent to approximately 30 days each year. These appointments are not remunerated. These Ministerial re-appointments were made in accordance with Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS) Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Within the last five years, none of the above appointees have been involved in any political activity.