Membership
The Forum will normally consist of the following members:
1) Nine representatives of the three main scientific strands in Healthcare Science, Life Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Physiological Sciences. These will be comprised of the following: IBMS 1 representative, RCPath 1 representative, IPEM 2 representatives and representatives to be elected annually from the other professional groups: 1 from within the life sciences, 1 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences, and 3 from the Physiological Sciences.
2) One representative from the Association of Clinical Scientists
3) Representatives from the SEHD as appropriate.
4) One representative from AMICUS/MSF
5) One representative from the FCS.
All members must have an involvement in Healthcare Science in Scotland.
Terms of Office
There will be an Annual General Meeting. In addition to members of the Forum, all professional bodies in Healthcare Science will be invited to send one representative to attend the AGM.
Representatives from IBMS, RCPath, IPEM, ACS, AMICUS/MSF and FCS to be nominated by these bodies annually at the AGM.
Representatives from the other professional groups will serve for 2 years. At the end of this period nominations for the vacancies will be requested from those professional groups that have expressed a valid interest. In the event of there being more nominations than vacancies, voting will be carried out by those attending the AGM.
The Chairman and Secretary will be elected at the first meeting following the AGM from the membership of 1) above.
All expenses of members of the Forum will be met by their nominating professional body.
Role
- To provide a professional forum to promote the role of Healthcare Science in Scotland and enhance the profile of Healthcare Science professions within the Health and Public Sectors.
- To provide advice, through a two- way channel of communication with the Scottish Executive Health Department, and through them to Ministers and other national bodies/organisations on workforce issues related to Healthcare Science in the NHS in Scotland.
- To establish links with the DoH and FHCS.
- To contribute to the formulation of policy related to professionals in Healthcare Science in the NHS in Scotland in conjunction with the Scottish Executive Health Department or other appropriate organisations.
- To ensure that there is an effective forum for the exchange of information and good practice amongst the professions within Healthcare Science.
- To provide support to emerging Healthcare Science groups in Scotland.
- To promote the need for research capacity within the Healthcare Science professions to support evidence based practice
- To respond to new initiatives and technology within Healthcare Science and to advise on service implications.
- To highlight the role of Healthcare Science professionals in issues of competence to practice, clinical governance and health improvement.
- To contribute to workforce planning and recruitment and retention issues for the Healthcare Science workforce in Scotland.
- To encourage Healthcare Scientists, their professional organisations and their trade unions to work in partnership for the overall betterment of healthcare science in NHS Scotland.