Public appointment: Members reappointed to Highland NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of Gerard O’Brien and Graham Bell as Members of Highland NHS Board.

Members

Gerard O’Brien is an experienced NHS professional who worked for over thirty years in the NHS in Scotland and England.  He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Finance and Accountancy and worked as Director of Finance at NHS Orkney and the Scottish Ambulance Service.  Gerard was appointed as Chief Executive of NHS Orkney in January 2018 and oversaw the completion and commissioning of the Balfour, which serves as the primary health and care facility for the residents of Orkney. Following retirement in June 2020, as well as a non-executive role with NHS Highland he has been appointed as a director of Voluntary Action Orkney and has been chair of VAO since August 2022.

Graham Bell has lived in Argyle for the past 40 years. Originally from Glasgow, his early career included working as a hospital porter, a youth community worker and a night care officer with older people. Qualifying as a social worker he spent most of his career in working with young people at risk, initially in the local authority and laterally as Chief Executive of Kibble, a third sector organisation. Now semi-retired he continues to work in cross-sectorial leadership development. He is also a board member of Community Justice Scotland and Cove Burgh Hall. He has extensive international experience in social and economic development and in 2019 was awarded an OBE for service to residential care, education and social enterprise.

Reappointment

These reappointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028.

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £9030 for a time commitment of 52 days per annum.

Other ministerial appointments

Gerard O’Brien does not hold any other public appointments. Graham Bell is a board member of Community Justice Scotland for which he receives £241 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

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.   

Gerard O’ Brien and Graham Bell have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NHS Highland’s catchment area comprises the largest and most sparsely populated part of the UK.  It is responsible for meeting the health needs of around 320,000 people living in the area, and provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based and acute hospital services for the population.