News /
January 27, 2015

Members appointed to NHS Highland

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Ms Shona Robison, today announced the appointment of twonew Members to NHS Highland.

The NHS is one of our nation’s biggest and most important public services. Each day thousands of people depend on it for treatment and care. Each day it saves hundreds of lives. More than 135,000 dedicated and skilled staff work for NHS Scotland which is the nation’s biggest employer. NHS Highland’s catchment area comprises the largest and most sparsely populated part of the UK covering the Highland and Argyll and Bute council areas.

Miss Melanie Newdick–brings to the board lots of experience of the NHS from the perspective of being both a patient and being a carer. Melanie also brings to the board experience of project management and facilitation.

Mrs Ann Pascoe - was in business prior to retiring to East Sutherland in 2000. In 2006 her husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia and since they lived in a remote rural Highlands’ hamlet with no support, as a lone carer she began campaigning for change. Ann has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship, founded Dementia Friendly Communities CIC, has just completed an MSc in Dementia at Stirling University, is a carer advisor to universities in UK and Europe and speaks both nationally and internationally on dementia issues. Anne brings a particular interest around socially inclusive rural communities that allow the elderly to be part of and contribute to society.

The appointment of Melanie Newdick will be for four years and will run from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2019. The appointment of Anne Pascoe will be for three years and will run from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2018.

These appointments arepart time and attract a remuneration of £8,088 for a time commitment of eight hours per week.

Melanie Newdick and Ann Pascoe do not hold any other ministerial appointments.

Theseappointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life 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 within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Melanie Newdick and Ann Pascoe have had no political activity in the last five years.