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Appointment to Mental Welfare Commission
29/05/2008
The appointment of a part-time Commissioner (Equality and Diversity) to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland has been made by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland.
Ms Dale Meller is a social work practitioner with 15 years experience working in a variety of social care settings. She is currently employed by NHS Health Scotland as the manager of a national mental health and race equality programme.
This work involves the strategic development of mental health services across Scotland that are fair for all with a particular focus on eliminating discrimination and achieving equity of treatment for people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Prior to taking up this post in 2006, Dale worked as a Mental Health Officer and social work manager with West Dunbartonshire Council in an integrated community mental health team. She does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
This appointment will be for a period of four years from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2012.
This post is part time with a time commitment of around 20 to 25 days per year. A fee of £207 is payable for each day devoted to Commission business.
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is an independent statutory body which protects mentally disordered people who are not able to look after their own interests. It enquires into cases of alleged ill treatment or deficiency of care or treatment and visits persons with mental disorder in hospitals and community settings, some of whom will be subject to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 or the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.
This Ministerial appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland.
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, Ms Meller has held office and canvassed on behalf of the Scottish Socialist Party.