Public appointment: members reappointed to the Healthcare Improvement Scotland Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP today announced the reappointments of Ms Suzanne Dawson and Mrs Gill Graham as members of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland Board.

Members

Ms Suzanne Dawson has non-executive director experience in health and education. She was a member of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board where she chaired their Clinical Governance Committee. She was Chair of Borders College leading the Board through a period of transformational change which included a major capital estates project and co-location with Heriot Watt University. She sat as one of the first non-solicitor members on the Law Society of Scotland Council. Suzanne has spent much of her career in economic development where her focus has been in marketing communications, relationship building, stakeholder engagement and organisational development. Suzanne is currently Vice Chair of HIS and is Chair of the Scottish Health Council.

Mrs Gill Graham joined the Board of Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) in March 2019, following a long career in the energy industry, including 16 years in the Netherlands leading international teams. With a wealth of experience in analysis, energy trading, risk management and operational excellence, Gill has brought fresh perspective and insight. She currently chairs the Audit and Risk Committee of HIS and is a member of the Quality and Performance Committee.

Reappointments

The reappointments for Ms Dawson and Mrs Graham are for four years, from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2027.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The reappointments are part-time and attract a daily remuneration of £171.74 for a time commitment of four days per month. In her role as Chair of the Scottish Health Council, Ms Dawson commits an additional two days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Ms Dawson and Mrs Graham do 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. 

Ms Dawson and Mrs Graham have 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.