Public appointment: Chair reappointed to Shetland NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP today announced the reappointment of Mr Gary Robinson as Chair of Shetland NHS Board.

Chair

Mr Gary Robinson has been the Chair of NHS Shetland since 2018 and led the organisation through the pandemic. Following Gary’s reappointment, he remains committed to ensuring efficient partnership working and to seeing through the review of NHS Shetland’s estate including, the Gilbert Bain Hospital. 

Outside of the Health Board, he is also vice-chair of Lerwick Community Council, Chair of the Community Planning Partnership and was recently elected to represent the Lerwick North and Bressay Ward in the Shetland Islands Council (SIC) elections. Gary is no stranger to the SIC as he was previously elected to lead the council in 2012. During his time in office, he was responsible for leading the Authority into its first Health and Social Care Integration Scheme. Gary was also a co-founder of the Our Islands, Our Future campaign and a member of the Islands Areas Ministerial Working Group, whose combined work culminated in the Islands Act that was approved by the Scottish Parliament in 2018.

Reappointment

The reappointments will be for four years and will run from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2026.

The reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The appointment is part-time and attract an annual remuneration of £30,617 for a time commitment of three days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Mr Robinson does not hold any other ministerial appointments.

Political activity

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. 

Mr Robinson was elected to Shetland Islands Council as an independent councillor in the recent local council elections.

Background

NHS Shetland looks after the health and wellbeing of around 23,0000 people living in Shetland, with the aim of ensuring that individuals are given the best treatment possible. In doing so, it provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based and acute hospital services tailored for the whole population. The integration of health and social care seeks to provide seamless services, wrapped around the needs of individuals, their families and communities, which are not restricted by organisational or professional boundaries.