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  • Lindsay Burley
  • Lynne Cadenhead
  • Ian Jackson
  • Ali Jarvis
  • Grenville Johnston
  • Neena Mahal
  • Anne McNeill
  • John Mulgrew
  • Elaine Noad
  • Liz Robertson
  • Andrew Thin

Who are you?

I was brought up in Aberdeen and worked for a short while in London before returning to work in Aberdeen  I am a long standing consultant radiologist with NHS Grampian. I report X-Rays for in and out patients . I also have a management role with clinical lead responsibility for clinical governance  in the Acute sector of the organisation.This involves the quality control assurance function and involves assuring the organisation has structures, functions and processes for self reflection but also to establish trends and transferable lessons to allow the organisation to be a learning one developing continuous improvement through self reflection  and benchmarking.

Why did you want to become a board member?

It is said that change is as good as a rest. Quality control through review of processes, structures , functions and outcomes is a transferable skill and is readily applied to different organisations. This realisation gave me the opportunity to extend my field of interest and meet new colleagues working from a different perspective. Not only do I benefit personally from the refreshing challenge of a different organisation  but there is also the ability to learn in the new role and carry good practice and skills to other parts of my working and personal life.  The richness of having to 'walk in others shoes' and understand their roles, constraints, challenges and perspective is very stimulating and often humbling.The atmosphere is positive and supportive.  Your view and input is valued.

What do you bring to the role?

I bring NHS sector operational and management experience.  I also bring clinical governance (quality control ) experience  with understanding and  experience of the national frameworks around both quality control and service improvement. This is grounded in much experience of service development and delivery. The specific role of Board members is to bring objectivity to the organisation.  Do the processes , outcomes and outputs hold up to scrutiny?  Are they fair , reasonable and appropriate? We all have a perspective from our experience and bring that to the table. The role is a benign watchdog one.

What do you get out of it?

Although I was looking for challenge and change I have found the role stimulating and very pleasant. The environment of mutual respect and appreciation of the organisation and Board is very refreshing.Fellow Board members bring a wealth of different background experience which allows rounded and holistic consideration of complex information and robust conclusions form large volumes of data.The culture is of mutual support, appreciation and openness.  There is no competitiveness and certainly this is not an adversarial situation.  It is friendly and enquiring. The different backgrounds of Board members is very interesting and often thought provoking.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking of applying?

My advice, if you are considering this, is 'go for it' .  You will enjoy the process of appointment and the experience.  There is rigour in the process so do take advice about completion of applications and also , in true school boy fashion, 'read the questions and answer what is being asked'.  The process is to elicite what you have achieved and your outcomes rather what you have been a member of .Consider very carefully how you have contributed to projects and what your contribution has been. Also do not be disappointed if you do not get through on first application.  The personal and experiently qualities of another applicant may be more appropriate to the balance of the Board.  Try again!