Public appointment: Member reappointed to Healthcare Improvement Scotland Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of Nicola Biagi-Hanssen as a Member of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) Board.

Member

Nicola Biagi-Hanssen brings over 35 years’ experience in health and social care across Scotland and Norway, with a background in mental health nursing and a BA in Business and Enterprise. Nicola currently works in business development with charities, community groups, and local communities - supporting governance, strategy, and service design. This gives her a grounded understanding of how national policy translates into local delivery and community impact. She has a particular interest in prevention and early intervention, and how social and environmental factors shape access to health services. Her experience across sectors equips her to continue contributing meaningfully to the work of the Scottish Health Council as vice chair, and to the wider HIS Board with a focus on inclusion, insight, and improvement.

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2029.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £276.00 per day for a time commitment of 48 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Nicola Biagi-Hanssen does not hold any other public 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.   

Nicola Biagi-Hanssen has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s aim is to ensure that the people of Scotland experience the best quality health and care services.  They work with people at every level of the health and social care system and make sure improvements in care are informed by the experiences of people who deliver and people who use services.

As a national improvement organisation, they are able to see all of the integration jigsaw and how the parts fit together. This perspective allows them to shape, tailor and provide support that responds to both individual provider’s and system needs, providing a great opportunity to support improvements in the care that people receive.