Information for Applicants
Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board – Non Executive Member
Scottish Ministers are committed to making appointments that reflect Scotland’s diverse population and bring to boards a range of relevant skills and life experience. Our Public bodies have a valued role in the provision of advice to Scottish Ministers and in the delivery of our public services.
What is the role of a nonexecutive member?
Our non-executive members work with the Chair and other board members of NHS Dumfries and Galloway to:
· set local health priorities and put Scottish Government policies into practice in the best way possible;
· monitor and track how well NHS Dumfries and Galloway is doing to deliver services, taking action to ensure that staff, finance and premises are used effectively and responsibly;
· provide scrutiny and assurance on the decisions the Board makes, ensuring the right systems are in place to hold executives to account rigorously and effectively;
· serve as a Trustee of the Board’s associated charity, the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board Endowment Fund;
· uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity and comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct (which can be found at www.nhsdg.scot.nhs.uk/publications)derived from the nine principles of public life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (based on the Nolan Principles) (see Annex A); and
· participate and chair committees of the Board providing good governance.
What is involved in good governance?
Good governance drives the quality of our healthcare services and sits at the heart of the non-executive’s role. Good governance involves:
· ensuring continuous improvement throughout the organisation (Improvement);
· providing assurance of clinical and care standards to the public (Assurance); and
· ensuring incidents and failures are identified and action taken (Remediation).
What kind of person are we looking for?
Our non-executives are expected to:
· be impartial - not act for any individual or group - and uphold collective decisions made by the Board;
· question and challenge information constructively;
· be sensitive to the views of others inside and outside the boardroom;
· promote a positive culture which includes upholding and promoting NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s values as set out in our Code of Positive Behaviour (which can be found at www.nhsdg.scot.nhs.uk/publications);
· be an ambassador of the Board representing it honestly and positively;
· communicate and engage with a wide range of organisations and individuals including patients, the public and MSPs;
· analyse and review complex issues, weigh up conflicting opinions; and
· live or have their main place of work in the area served by the Board in order to ensure the Board reflects service users from communities within Dumfries and Galloway.
Do I need to be an expert in healthcare?
No. We are looking for people with a wide range of skills and backgrounds with good common sense who are sensitive to the diverse needs of people in Dumfries and Galloway.
Will I be provided with training and support?
We will give you the time and opportunity to learn the new skills you may require. You will be working as part of a team and will be able to get expert advice on difficult or complex issues.
What key documents do I need to be aware of?
Our non-executive members need to be aware of the following local and national policies and priorities which may be referred to at interview:
· The Local Delivery Plan for your area
o www.nhsdg.scot.nhs.uk/publications
· Acute Services Redevelopment Outline Business Case
o www.nhsdg.scot.nhs.uk/changesanddevelopments/acuteservicesredevelopmentreadmore/DraftOutlineBusinessCase
· NHS Scotland Quality Strategy
o www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/05/10102307/0
· Route Map to the 2020 Vision for Health and Social Care
o www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Policy/Quality-Strategy/routemap2020vision
· Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill
o www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/63845.aspx
More local publications are available on the NHS Dumfries and Galloway web-site (www.nhsdg.scot.nhs.uk)
What would I be paid?
The remuneration for the role is £8,008 per annum, which is non-pensionable. You would also receive allowances at rates set centrally for relevant travel and subsistence costs. All reasonable receipted dependant-carer expenses and for support required to help you carry out your duties effectively will also be reimbursed where applicable.
What would my time commitment be?
You must be able to make a firm commitment to spend on average eight hours over the course of a week on Board business. This time will be a mix of daytime Board meetings, committee meetings, reading documents in your own time and attending stakeholder events, some of which may be in the evenings or at weekends. You will need to have flexibility in order to attend at a greater frequency subject to the Board’s ongoing business needs.
How long would my appointment be for?
The term of appointment will be for up to 4 years in the first instance. Appointment may be renewed subject to evidence of effective performance and to satisfying the requirements of the person specification for the role at the time of re-appointment.
Where would I be based?
The Board is based at Crichton Hall, Bankend Road, Dumfries. You would also be expected to travel to locations throughout Dumfries and Galloway.
What does NHS Dumfries and Galloway do?
The Health Board’s role is to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Dumfries and Galloway. In doing so, NHS Dumfries and Galloway provides a vast range of health services to approx 147,000 people.
· Population of around 147,000
· Annual revenue budget of circa £300 million
· Annual capital budget of £10 million
· Approx 4,500 staff
· One acute hospital in Dumfries
· One community hospital in Stranraer
· Eight cottage hospitals
· Around 135 GPs
· NHS Dumfries and Galloway shares boundaries with Dumfries and Galloway Council and a wide range of third sector stakeholders.
For more information about NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Scotland visit www.nhsdg.scot.nhs.uk and www.show.scot.nhs.uk .
What is the application and selection process?
NHS Dumfries and Galloway appoints on merit and welcomes applications from people of all ages, disabilities, genders, religions, races and sexual orientations.
The appointment round will comprise of two stages. More information on these stages can be found in the Guidance Note for Applicants that forms part of this application pack:
§ The first stage will be a written application. The panel will assess the applications and invite to interview those applicants who best meet the requirements for the roles.
§ The interviewwill allow you to demonstrate the skills you would bring to the NHS Board.
It is important to note that by the end of the selection process (written application and interview) you must have demonstrated that you have the met all of the essential criteria to the satisfaction of the selection panel in order to be considered for appointment to these posts. You should be able to demonstrate both within your application, and at interview (if invited to attend), how your skills, knowledge and experience match those required.
If invited for interview, you will be asked to participate in a short task, which you will receive in advance of your interview. The task itself will involve considering a previous Board paper and preparing a response on the questions asked, which you will then present at the start of the interview. Full details will be provided to those who are invited to interview.
The Selection Panel for this appointment round is as follows;
Chair- Shirley Rogers, Acting Director, Health Workforce Directorate, Scottish Government
Andrew Johnston, Vice-Chairman, Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board
Bill Howatson, Chair, Grampian NHS Board
Annette Hogg, Public Appointments Assessor, Office of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland
Interviews will take place on the 18,19 and 20 March 2014, in Dumfries.
Please note that if invited to the final assessment stage of the process, we will be unable to offer alternative dates.
Is there anything that could disqualify me from being appointed?
Appointments to NHS bodies are governed by regulations which include details of the circumstances in which an individual may be disqualified from being appointed.
The circumstances vary from body to body and it is not possible to include an exhaustive list here covering every appointment. However, the following paragraphs give an indication of the main circumstances where an individual would normally be disqualified from appointment to any Special Health Board or territorial Health Board:
· Board members and employees of one health body may not generally be appointed to another health body. However, regulations permit a number of exceptions regarding Special Health Boards and territorial Health Boards.
· anyone who, within the last five years, has been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Irish Republic and received a sentence of imprisonment (including suspended or deferred sentences) for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine;
· anyone who has had their estate in Scotland sequestrated and has not had their sequestration recalled, reduced or discharged; been adjudged bankrupt elsewhere than in Scotland and has not had their bankruptcy annulled or discharged; or has entered in to a trust deed with their creditors and not paid their creditors in full, or had their trust deed expire;
· anyone who has held a position of Chair, Member or Director of an NHS body;
· anyone who has resigned or been removed or been dismissed, otherwise than by reason of redundancy, from any paid employment or office with a health service body;
· people who have had an earlier term of appointment terminated in certain circumstances;
· anyone who is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986;
· anyone who has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners; and
· anyone who has been removed from a list of Part II practitioners by a direction made under section 46 of the NHS Act 1977 and has not since had their name restored, or has been suspended by a Tribunal made pursuant to section 49A(2) or section 49B(1) of the Act (as amended by National Health Service Act 1995).
There are circumstances in which the disqualification of an individual who falls under the above may cease.
More information about the legislation underpinning the terms of appointment of Health Board Members can be found in;
· The Health Boards (Membership and Procedure)(Scotland) Regulations 2001, SSI 2001/302
o www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2001/20010302.htm
· The Primary Medical Services (Consequential and Ancillary Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2004
o www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2004/20040212.htm
· The Health Boards (Membership and Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2005.
o www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2005/20050108.htm
What else do I need to know about being a non-executive?
· Appointments are normally made for fixed periods, which may be up to four years in the first instance, and are subject to the terms of the Regulations referred to above.
· In the event of an appointment being terminated early by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations, there would be no entitlement to any compensation in respect of the unexpired portion of the appointment.
· Health Boards are bodies corporate. Boards, their Chairs and members do not have the status, immunity or privileges of the Crown. The Chair and members are, however, not personally liable for the actions of the Board.
· Appointments shall not be construed as in any way constituting a contract of service or for services between appointees and the Scottish Ministers or as between appointees and the Board.
· The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2007 apply in respect of any member of the Board who is not an employee of the Board, and any such member is, accordingly, disqualified from seeking election to the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament or the European Parliament.
· On matters affecting the work of the Health Board, the Chair and members should not normally make political speeches or engage in other political activities.In cases of doubt, the guidance of the Scottish Ministers should be sought through the Chief Executive of NHSScotland.
How can I find out more?
If you would like to discuss these opportunities in more detail, you are welcome to contact the Vice Chair, Andrew Johnston, by calling Linda McKie, Executive Assistant to the Chair, on 01387 272743, or by emailing
[Annex A]
The Nine Principles of Public Life
Public Service
You have a duty to act in the interests of the public body of which you are a member and in accordance with the core tasks of that body.
Selflessness
You have a duty to take decisions solely in terms of public interest. You must not act in order to gain financial or other material benefit for yourself, family or friends.
Integrity
You must not place yourself under any financial, or other, obligation to any individual or organisation that might reasonably be thought to influence you in the performance of your duties.
Objectivity
You must make decisions solely on merit when carrying out public business.
Accountability and Stewardship
You are accountable for your decisions and actions to the public. You have a duty to consider issues on their merits, taking account of the views of others and must ensure that the public body uses its resources prudently and in accordance with the law.
Openness
You have a duty to be as open as possible about your decisions and actions, giving reasons for your decisions and restricting information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
You have a duty to act honestly. You must declare any private interests relating to your public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
You have a duty to promote and support these principles by leadership and example, to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the public body and its members in conducting public business.
Respect
You must respect fellow members of your public body and employees of the body and the role they play, treating them with courtesy at all times.