USE: EMBARGOED UNTIL 0:001 hrs Thursday 3^rd March 2005

The Chairman of NHS Highland – Garry Coutts - is encouraging Highlanders from the West, North and South, to come forward to play their part in the NHS in the Highlands. The Scottish Executive are about to advertise for the posts of two additional Non-Executive Members for NHS Highland, following successful lobbying by Mr Coutts.

He said: "I am delighted that the Minister has agreed to create another two non-executive members for NHS Highland, to ensure that the unique geography of the area we serve is fully covered. Although Non-executives do not represent a particular area, it is helpful to have Board members who understand the real issues facing people throughout the Highlands."

"Just now we don’t have any members from Skye and Lochalsh, Sutherland, or Badenoch and Strathspey. Although we do have members who live in Lochaber and Caithness, they are appointed because of other positions they hold, so I would particularly want to encourage people from all these areas to come forward. Largely we are also white, middle-aged, and able-bodied, so would be keen to recruit members who can bring a different perspective to our discussions."

He felt that people would find it a rewarding experience:

"It is not always an easy role but it is an important one. I and my colleagues on the NHS Board also find it a rewarding role. These are always serious issues we are dealing with at NHS Board level and we all want to get it right. If you think you have something to offer, please come forward and help us in our ambition to make Highland the healthy place to be."

If people are interested, they can request an application pack by either telephoning 0870 240 1818; faxing 0870 600 4111; emailing publicappointments@response-handling.com or by sending a SMS text message to 0796 013 3181.

Councillor Michael Foxley, Vice-Convener of The Highland Council, welcomed the addition of two non-executive members on the NHS Highland Board. He said: "I am extremely pleased that the Board Chairman has persuaded the Executive to extend the membership of the board to ensure representation beyond the Inner Moray Firth area. This wider representation can only benefit the working of the Board."

Councillor David Flear, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Action in Community Care said: "We welcome this move and urge local members of the community to put their names forward."

-------- E N D -------

The Scottish Executive will be advertising the posts in The Herald, Scotsman, and Press and Journal on Friday 4^th March 2005.

Applicants should preferably live or work in an outlying district of the Board area and have a good understanding of local health issues. Applications are invited from a wide range of people who have an interest in public service and are committed to the NHS, including those who are retired from work, at home looking after their children, from a minority ethnic community or have a disability. As a Member of the Board, they will have the following skills and experience:

Board members must be able to make a firm commitment to spend around 8 hours per week on Board business, occasionally during the evenings and weekends, while also demonstrating an adequate degree of flexibility to attend at a greater frequency subject to the Board’s ongoing business needs. The appointment will be for up to 4 years and may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance. This position is not pensionable, but as well as an annual remuneration of £7,305 (subject to review) they will also receive reimbursement for all reasonable travel and receipted childcare or carer expenses incurred whilst undertaking Board duties.

If people are interested in the delivery of health services and the development of measures to improve the health of the people in your area, and want to make a real difference in your community, they can request an application pack by either telephoning 0870 240 1818; faxing 0870 600 4111; emailing publicappointments@response-handling.com or by sending a SMS text message to 0796 013 3181. In all cases, they must provide their name, address and the vacancy they are interested in. Alternatively, they can write to Public Appointments, PO Box 7332, Glasgow G51 2ZA.

You can download information on this appointment by visiting www.show.scot.nhs.uk/nhspublicappointments/

Further information about appointments can be obtained online at www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies/

Contacts: Chris Meecham, Head of Communications and Corporate Services, Tel: 01463 717123 or Mobile 07771 973436

Gordon Fyfe, Highland Council Tel 01463 702020