Public appointment: Members reappointed to Healthcare Improvement Scotland Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP,

today announced the reappointment of Keith Charters and Evelyn McPhail as Members of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland Board.

Members

Keith Charters

Keith Charters brings a wealth of business experience to the Board which includes private equity, medical insurance, financial markets, publishing and distribution organisations. His skill set encompasses financial oversight, risk management, organisational structuring, compliance and governance.

Evelyn McPhail

Evelyn McPhail has 38 years’ experience working in the NHS and health and social care sector until her retirement in 2019. She was the Director of Pharmacy and Medicines for NHS Fife and the Fife Integrated Joint Board of the Health and Social Care Partnership and was responsible for providing strategic leadership, leading on clinical governance and working with partner organisations in the development and delivery of pharmaceutical care services. She is a retired pharmacist with experience of transformational change, working in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders and managing in a large organisation. Evelyn was awarded the Scottish Pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award in November 2019 for her work in Pharmacy and the public sector. Her non-executive roles included six years as a Council member of the General Pharmaceutical Council until April 2020. She was also appointed as a Governor of Fife College in February 2020 and to Deputy Chair of the Board in April 2024.

Reappointment

Keith Charters will be reappointed for 4 years from 12 October 2024 to 11 October 2028.

Evelyn McPhail will be reappointed for 4 years from 5 October 2024 to 4 October 2028.

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £173.66 for a time commitment of 48 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Evelyn McPhail is Deputy Chair and Board member of the Fife College Board, for which she receives no remuneration, for a time commitment of 1 day per month.

Keith Charters 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.   

Keith Charters and Evelyn McPhail 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.