Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the appointment of six Interim Non-Executive Members (NEM) to the Board of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).
The following individuals have been appointed: Mr Neil Bodger (Finance/Business); Professor Stuart Elborn (Medical); Mr Alan Hunter (Lay); Miss Jacqueline McGarvey (Social Care); Miss Suzanne Rice (Legal); and Ms Bronagh Scott (Nursing).
Further details on each of the new appointees are provided below.
The Health Minister stated: “I am very pleased to announce these appointments. The breadth of the expertise and experience of the new interim board members speaks for itself.
“I would like to thank them for being prepared to take on these key roles at this crucial time. I look forward to working with the new members as they take up their roles.”
The new Interim NEMs will work with RQIA’s Interim Non-Executive Chair, Christine Collins and its Interim Chief Executive, Dr Tony Stevens.
These Interim Chair and NEM appointments have been made with regard to the emergency procedure provided for in the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
The six Interim NEM appointments commenced on 30 October 2020 and are for a maximum period of up to 12 months, or until such times as permanent NEM appointments are made, whichever occurs soonest. The Interim Non-Executive Chair appointment is for a maximum period of up to 12 months or until a permanent Non-Executive Chair is appointed, whichever occurs sooner.
The temporary appointment of two Departmental Officials as NEMs of the Board has now ended.
The NEM role attracts a remuneration of £6,202 per annum (under review) and carries a time commitment of up to 2 to 3 days per month. The Chair role attracts a remuneration of £18,772 per annum (under review) and carries a time commitment of 2 to 3 days per week.
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services.
The board of the RQIA consists of a Non-Executive Chair and up to 10 NEMs.