NHS Highland is seeking to recruit independent members to the Highland Health and Social Care Committee.
Gerry O’Brien, Chair of the committee, said: “The committee has a wide range of responsibilities for health and social care services across the Highland Council area and it is essential that we have the public’s input to the decisions it makes.
“It is important to hear the views of people who use our services, carers alongside those of clinicians, managers and partners and I would encourage patients, carers and members of the public with an interest in how we run NHS Highland to consider applying.”
Successful applicants will be able to read and comment on written reports and contribute to debate during Committee meetings. However, the most important qualification is an interest in improving health and social care services across the region.
The Committee meets six times a year in the afternoons, for around three hours. The work also involves reading Committee papers in advance and attending occasional informal meetings in the morning of the Committee. Meetings are held in public, usually in Inverness but occasionally elsewhere in Highland and are held on MS Teams.
These posts are voluntary, but NHS Highland will ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made on a member’s behalf, and any necessary costs are reimbursed. An induction programme and ongoing support will also be provided.