Background Information, Role Description and Person SpecificationGrampian NHS Board | Non-executive Board Member

caring • listening • improving

Contents Page

1. Background Information 4 2. A brief guide to the National Health Service 5 in Grampian

3. The role of Grampian NHS Board 6

4. The Vision and Values of NHS Grampian 7

5. Non-executive Board Member - 9 Role description

6. Non-executive Board Member - 12 Person Specification

7. The Application and Appointment Process 14

8. Grampian NHS Board Members 20

9. The Principles of Public Life 21

10. Do you have difficulty understanding the 22 English Language?

1. Background InformationNHS Grampian has been chosen by the Scottish Government to be one of four pilot areas to increase diversity of Board members, improve public engagement and to seek ways to improve current arrangements for appointing non-executive members to Health Boards. As part of the pilot NHS Grampian is looking for two people to join its Board as non-executive members. All kinds of people can make good Board members. You could be who we are looking for if you can commit time to the work of the Grampian NHS Board, and are a good listener and communicator. Anyone with the necessary skills, knowledge and personal qualities to make a contribution to the Board is invited to apply. NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government are committed to equality of opportunity and encouraging a diverse range of applicants for public appointments.

The NHS is one of Scotland’s biggest and most important public services. Each day thousands of Scots depend on it for treatment and care. Each day it saves hundreds of lives. As Scotland’s biggest employer, it has more than 150,000 dedicated and skilled staff. Since devolution the Scottish Government has been striving to make Scotland healthier for all of us.

The work undertaken by the 22 NHS Boards across the country provides the strategic framework to ensure that the management of our healthcare is more efficient, more accountable and more effective. These Boards bring together key partners who deliver our healthcare. One of the main functions of these different bodies is to put government policies into practice in the best way possible.

An NHS Board is a board of governance, which has responsibility for key issues such as health improvement, strategic planning and resource allocation. With the Chair and other members of the Board you will have the opportunity to oversee a wide range of responsibilities and balance national priorities which address the health care needs of the people of Grampian.

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2. A brief guide to the National Health Service in GrampianNHS Grampian provides health services for approximately 520,000 people living in Grampian. These National Health Service (NHS) services are overseen by one single Grampian NHS Board. Grampian NHS Board is responsible for investing approximately £926 million a year in health and healthcare services.

NHS Grampian consists of acute services, three Community Health Partnerships and corporate services. It works closely with the three local authorities and two universities.

Acute hospital services

Acute or “secondary” care services are based in Aberdeen around Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) on the Foresterhill site and at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin. Both hospitals provide a range of in-patient and out-patient services.

Community Health Partnerships

Three Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) provide community health services for Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. Each CHP is responsible for providing a wide range of care and services for patients close to where they live. These include community hospitals (including Woodend Hospital), GP practices, services such as district nursing, community midwifery, community mental health services, child health services, health visiting and community pharmacy services.

Other partner organisations

NHS Grampian is very closely linked with both the University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon University, especially in the fields of research, workforce planning and training.

NHS Grampian also works closely with the three local authorities in Grampian(Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, the Moray Council) and other partners through community planning partnerships, including voluntary organisations.

Representatives from each of the local authorities and the University of Aberdeen are members of the Grampian NHS Board. 5

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3. The role of Grampian NHS BoardGrampian NHS Board is responsible for improving the health of the Grampian population and for delivering the healthcare services required. The Board must oversee the taking-forward of Scotland’s national health agenda, tailored to the needs of the Grampian population spread over 3,000 square miles of city, town, village and rural communities.

The Board does this through its four roles, which are:

• to be a high-level board of governance, rather than being concerned with day-to-day operational matters• to give strategic leadership, through the Grampian Health Plan• to have overall responsibility for the performance of the local NHS system• to be responsible for deciding how funds flow, and how resources are allocated to meet its strategic objectives.

NHS Grampian’s Health Plan 2010-13 can be accessed at www.nhsgrampian.org/healthfit

The Grampian NHS Board is supported from headquarters at Summerfield House in Aberdeen. Senior managers for the functions which cover the whole of Grampian are based here, including finance, planning, human resources, communication and responsibility for protection and promotion of public health.

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4. The Vision and Values of NHS GrampianNHS Grampian:

proudly working together to deliver the best possible services for a healthier Grampian.

The purpose of NHS Grampian is to:

• improve the health of people in the North East of Scotland and beyond• provide high quality services for our patients• help people choose the best ways to look after their health.

We will:

• treat each individual with dignity and respect• behave with integrity, consistency and compassion• communicate clearly• be open, honest and fair• learn and improve• lead by example• be environmentally responsible• celebrate success• work in partnership with – our staff, our patients, carers, communities, and public and private sector organisations• invest in our people, services and premises• encourage innovation, building on the record of success in the North East.

You can find out more about NHS Grampian by visiting our website:

www.nhsgrampian.org

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5. Non-executive Board Member - Role Description The overall purpose of the Board is to ensure the efficient, effective and accountable governance of the organisation and to provide strategic leadership and direction which focuses on agreed outcomes.

Along with the Chair and other members, you will have the objective of improving Scotland’s health and reducing inequalities in health. You will be expected to support the Chair and work with the other members to discharge the functions of the Board, which will comprise:

• strategy development – to develop a single Local Health Plan which addresses the health priorities and healthcare needs of the Grampian population• managing the effective performance of the Board’s activities and ensuring achievement of its aims• resource allocation to address strategic objectives - funds will flow to the Board, which will be responsible for deciding how these resources are deployed locally to meet its strategic objectives• overseeing the implementation of Board decisions• ensuring that governance arrangements are sound• ensuring openness and honesty in the workings of the organisation.

In addition you will:

• take the opportunity to contribute to the strategic leadership and planning within the organisation• actively participate in collective decision making, and chair, or participate in, where required, one or more of the committees of the Board• accept collective responsibility for decisions of the Board• question intelligently, challenge rigorously and debate constructively and dispassionately• listen sensitively to the views of others, inside and outside the Boardroom

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• be an ambassador for the local health system and have a unique opportunity to help the NHS Board focus on people’s experience of their local health services• work with and fully represent the Board’s activities, in an honest and positive way, whilst encouraging and maintaining good relationships with interested parties, including: • patients, the public and local communities • local authorities • the business sector • the voluntary sector • elected community representatives • the media• actively work with other NHS Boards, Community Health Partnerships and other local service providers to ensure an integrated approach to providing health and community care services, and health improvement schemes• put into action the Scottish Government’s policies and priorities. On health matters, you need to pay particular attention to putting into practice: • Equally Well (2008) www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/06/25104032/0 • Better Health, Better Care Action Plan (2007) www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/13102832/0 • Healthfit – NHS Grampian’s Health Plan 2010-2013 www.nhsgrampian.org/healthfit • develop an effective working relationship with members of the Board and staff within the NHS system• gain the trust and respect of other Board members• challenge and support executives in their leadership of the business while monitoring performance• commit to ongoing personal development activities in support of your non-executive role

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• uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity and comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct• uphold the principles of public life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Nolan Principles) (See page 21).

Training and Development

If appointed as a non-executive member you will be given the opportunity to participate in training and development designed to help you perform effectively.

Time Commitment

As a non-executive member, you must be able to make a firm commitment to spend around 8 hours per week on Board business, some of which may be in the evenings or at weekends. You should also demonstrate an adequate degree of flexibility to attend at a greater frequency subject to the Board’s ongoing business needs. The meetings of the Board will normally be held in Aberdeen, but may on occasion be held elsewhere in the NHS Board area.

Length of appointment

The term of appointment will be for the duration of the Alternative Pilot to direct elections which will last for a minimum of 2 years.

Remuneration and allowances

Remuneration of £8,008 per annum (non-pensionable) is payable. The Board is liable to pay allowances at rates set centrally for any travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on Board business. All reasonable receipted dependant carer expenses will also be reimbursed where applicable.

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6. Non-executive Board Member - Person SpecificationListed below are the necessary skills, knowledge and personal qualities that would be required to make a contribution to the Grampian NHS Board. Anyone who feels they have these skills is encouraged to apply.

It is important to note that you should be able to demonstrate within your application, and/or at interview (if invited to attend) how your skills, knowledge and personal qualities match those required.

To be a member of Grampian NHS Board you must:

• be 16 years of age or over• have your main residence or main place of work in Grampian, and• meet all the essential skills and personal qualities listed below:

Skills

• have the ability to examine and review complex issues and reach your own conclusions• be able to demonstrate that you can work effectively in a team or group environment to deliver results• be able to challenge constructively and influence decision making in a group.

Personal Qualities

• have a commitment to the principles of public life (listed on page 21).

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We would expect you to:

• have a commitment to the vision and values of NHS Grampian• have a willingness to bring a broad public perspective of health services in Grampian• have experience of community or voluntary work, for example being a member of a committee• be willing to take a balanced view, drawing on your own experiences and those of others and be willing to listen to other people’s points of view or experiences.

You do not need to have:

• a detailed understanding of medical terminology or abbreviations used in the NHS• a background or experience in any aspect of health services• previous experience of being a member of a Board• experience with computers or be able to use a computer • any formal qualifications.

You will not be expected to:

• represent any organisation or any specific interest group.

NHS Grampian will undertake to:

• provide you with an introductory information pack which will be explained and discussed with you• provide you with an induction programme to suit your circumstances, to introduce you to NHS Grampian, the work of the Board, other Board members and patient and public representatives fulfilling other roles with NHS Grampian• ensure that you have access to ongoing support, which will be provided in a way and a manner that is convenient and helpful to you• provide you with named contact people who will be available to give you support, provide you with information and answer your questions• give you paper copies of information if you do not have access to or cannot use a computer. 13

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7. The Application and Appointment ProcessYou will need to fill in an application form to provide certain information by the closing date of 6 August 2010. This will be considered with all other applicationsto create a shortlist.

Shortlisting

All appointments are based on merit, using a process of independent and open assessment in accordance with the Code of Practice laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. A copy of this can be found at www.publicappointments.org/publications/. The candidates who appear, from the information available, to match the person specification for appointment most closely, will be invited to interview. It is therefore essential for your application form to give full but concise information relevant to the appointment, providing examples of where you have demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge in the past. Application forms must be completed in full, using continuation sheets as necessary.

For the completion of an application form for this evidence-based selection process we recommend the STAR approach:

S - outline the situation. When and where does the example come from?T - outline the specific task you were faced withA - outline what action you took to complete the task and your specific roleR - outline the result of your actions. What did you achieve, what conclusions did you reach and what did you learn?

Please do not send a CV as this will not be accepted as an alternative to completing the application form.

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Interviews

It is expected that interviews will be held on 3 and 6 September 2010 in Aberdeen. The Selection Panel will be chaired by a Deputy Director from the Scottish Government Health Directorate. Other members of the panel will be the Chair of the Board and an Assessor appointed by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS). The interview should last around 45 minutes. The Panel will recommend to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing those individuals who are considered appointable. It will then be for the Cabinet Secretary to make a final decision on who is appointed. Criteria for Disqualification

Appointments to NHS bodies are governed by regulations which include details of disqualification from appointment. These are the Membership and Procedure Regulations referred to in the section “Terms affecting the appointment” on page 16. 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 not be allowed to serve as a non-executive member.

• anyone who works for an NHS body (including honorary or unpaid medical or dental appointments) would not normally be appointed as a Chair or non-executive member. Regulations govern a small number of exceptions including appointments to NHS Boards. You will be asked to declare full details of any NHS employment when completing an application form.

In addition, the following categories of people are normally disqualified from appointment to any Special Health Board or NHS Board:

• 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 been declared bankrupt or has entered in to a trust deed with their creditors

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• anyone who has held a position of Chair, Member or Director of an NHS body and who was dismissed, other than by reason of redundancy, by that NHS 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

• anyone who has been removed from a list of Part 11 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).

Terms affecting the appointment

The terms of appointment of members of NHS Boards are set out in Health Board Membership and Procedure Regulations. These were revised in September 2001 to reflect the changes to the governance of NHSScotland as outlined in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change (SEHD, December 2000) and further detailed in the policy document Rebuilding our National Health Service (SEHD, May 2001).

Further details on the prescribed matters on tenure of office of members of NHS Boards can be found in:

• The Health Boards (Membership and Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2001, SSI 2001/302

• The Primary Medical Services (Consequential and Ancillary Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2004

• The Health Boards (Membership and Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2005

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Copies of these Regulations and Amendments may be found at:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2001/20010302.htm

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2004/20040212.htm

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2005/20050108.htm

Copies are also available from the Scottish Government, Health Board Election Team. (See page 19 for contact details)

• appointments are normally made for fixed periods, which may be up to 4 years in the first instance, and are subject to the terms of the Regulations referred to above. The term of appointment will be for the duration of the Alternative Pilot to direct elections which will last for a minimum of 2 years• in the event of an appointment being terminated early by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations referred to in paragraph 1, 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 1999 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 NHS Scotland.

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More information on Grampian NHS Board can be found by visiting www.nhsgrampian.org

If you would like to find out more about applying for the role, please get in touch for an informal conversation with Mrs Laura Gray, Director of Corporate Communications on 01224 554400.

If you would like to apply to be a member of the Grampian NHS Board you can download an application form from http://www.nhsgrampian.org/pilot

Alternatively, application packs can be obtained by contacting:

The Scottish GovernmentBrian NisbetScottish Government Health Board Election TeamRegent RoadSt Andrews HouseEdinburgh EH1 3DGTel: 0131 244 2033

Further information on public appointments can be found at http://www.publicappointments.org/ or by contacting:

Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland9-10 St Andrew SquareEdinburghEH2 2AFTel: 0131 718 6058

If you need any help at any point in the process, NHS Grampian will give you contact details for a member of staff who can give you support.

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8. Grampian NHS Board Members NHS Grampian is looking for two new non-executive Board Members to add to the current membership at May 2010:

Non-executive Members

Dr David Cameron, ChairMr David AndersonCouncillor Lee Bell, The Moray Council representativeMr Raymond BissetCouncillor Kate Dean, Aberdeen City Council representativeProfessor Neva Haites, University of Aberdeen representativeCouncillor Bill Howatson, Aberdeenshire Council representativeMrs Elizabeth McDadeMr Terry MackieProfessor Val MaehleMr Charles MuirDr John Reid, Chair of Area Clinical Forum Mr Mike ScottMr Gordon Stephen, Employee Director

Executive Members

Mr Richard Carey, Chief ExecutiveDr Roelf Dijkhuizen, Medical DirectorMr Alan Gall, Director of FinanceMr Mark Sinclair, Director of Human Resources and Strategic ChangeMrs Elinor Smith, Nurse DirectorDr Lesley Wilkie, Director of Public Health and Planning

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9. The Principles of Public Life Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

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10. Do you have difficulty understanding the English language?If you have a problem reading or understanding the English language, this document is available in a language of your choice. Please ask an English speaking friend or relative to phone, write or email Nigel Firth, Equality and Diversity Manager, NHS Grampian.

His contact details are:

Nigel FirthEquality and Diversity ManagerGround Floor Room 15Ashgrove HouseAberdeen Royal InfirmaryAberdeen AB25 2ZATelephone: Aberdeen (01224) 552245Email: Nigel.firth@nhs.net

(Polish)

Czy masz trudności w rozumieniu języka angielskiego? Jeśli masz problemy z czytaniem lub zrozumieniem języka angielskiego, ten dokument jest dostępny w języku, który wybierzesz. Prosimy poproś angielskojęzycznego kolegę lub krewnego o telefon lub email do Nigel Firth, Equality and Diversity Manager.

(Russian)

У Вас трудности в понимании английского языка? Если Вы испытываете трудности при чтении или понимании английского языка, то этот документ доступен на языке по вашему выбору. Пожалуйста попросите друга, который владеет английским языком связаться по телефону, письменно или по электронной почте с Nigel Firth, Equality and Diversity Manager.

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(Lithuanian)

Ar jums sunku suprasti aglų kalbą?Jeigu jums sunku skaityti ar suprasti anglų kalba, šį dokumentą galite gauti kalbakuri jums suprantamiausia. Paparašykite angliškai kalbančio draugo paskambinti, parašyti arba parašyti elektroninį laišką Nigel Firth, Equality and Diversity Manager.

(Mandarin)

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Nigel Firth Equality and Diversity Manager.

This publication is also available in large print and on computer disk. Other formats and languages can be supplied on request.

Please call Equality and Diversity on (01224) 551116 or 552245 or email grampian@nhs.net

Ask for publication CGD100104