Board Appointments Give Scottish Care Sector New Voice

The Care Commission has welcomed the announcement of three new members to its Board, believing they will play an important role in continuing the challenge of improving standards in Scotland’s care sector. Deputy Health Minister Lewis MacDonald has announced the appointment of Dr Anne Haddow, Ms Carol Paton and Dr Hamish Wilson as new members to the Care Commission Board. The work of the Care Commission is directed by a non-executive Board which is currently chaired by Convener Mary Hartnoll, who is stepping down shortly. It has 12 members, including three places reserved for people who represent care service users and carers.

The Board sets the strategic direction of the Care Commission, taking account of the legislation and policy guidance from Scottish Ministers

Chief Executive Jacquie Roberts said it is important the Board is made up of a cross section of people from different backgrounds, as their collective experiences adds value to the processes which allow the Care Commission to target its work more effectively.

She said: “These appointments will assist us to be a more efficient and effective regulator, helping us to deliver a positive impact to many different types of care services. I’m particularly pleased that more experience from the health and housing sector, and from someone who has personal experience of being a carer, is being brought to the Board.”

Jacquie said that with the many challenges facing the care sector it is important the Care Commission is focussed on delivering improvements that make a positive difference to people’s lives.

She added: “The Care Commission’s work directly affects some one million people in Scotland so it’s crucial to have a broad range of people on the Board helping us to take forward the organisation in a way that keeps people at the heart of regulation. These new appointments will build on the considerable progress we have already made.”

Convenor Mary Hartoll said the Board of the Care Commission was fortunate to now have three new members, in Dr Anne Haddow, Ms Carol Paton and Dr Hamish Wilson, with such depth of quality and expertise.

She said: “While my term of office is coming to a close, I am confident that the new-look Board will continue to drive forward the changes that need to be made to ensure the Care Commission continues to be an organisation that plays a vital role in the social fabric of Scotland.

“I am pleased that the Board will continue to have such a diverse range of people, united in the task of delivering real improvements to the care sector in Scotland.  If the new members enjoy their new positions half as much as I have, I am sure they will find their new work for the Care Commission to be immensely satisfying and rewarding.”