Public Health Scotland is an NHS Board. We are uniquely sponsored by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) on behalf of local government. Since 1 April 2020, Public Health Scotland has been leading and supporting Scotland to respond to its health challenges and making a difference to the lives of people in our communities. We have a Scotland wide remit and work closely with local organisations. We are focussed on improving life expectancy and reducing health inequalities. We bring together and share data and intelligence to shape decisions affecting health and as Scotland’s national public health body, we lead and support work across Scotland to prevent disease, prolong healthy life and promote health and wellbeing. Our COVID-19 data has reached millions across Scotland and been reported thousands of times in the media. Our intelligence and analysis shaped Scotland’s response to the disease. We share learning from what we know works to make the biggest impact on health and our research and evidence continues to inform policy. We provide reliable, valuable statistics on health and healthcare in Scotland and we’ve continued to be known and trusted by regulators and people across Scotland. According to the UK Statistical Regulator, our data adds value.
Our Board is made up of 12 non-executive Board members (two of whom are nominated by COSLA) this includes one whistleblowing champion, the Employee Director, who provides the link between the Board and Staff Side and the Chief Executive
Our Board is responsible for:
– setting the strategic direction for the organisation and defining annual plans
– ensuring that plans and performance take account of and are responsive to stakeholder needs
– monitoring performance against objectives to check that PHS is delivering the right outcomes
– ensuring effective financial stewardship
– ensuring high standards of governance and conduct throughout the organisation, consistent with Public Health Scotland values
Why Public Health Scotland is supporting Boardroom Apprentice
PHS was created in 2020 bringing together Scotland’s national capacity to improve and protect health into one organisation for the first time. As a new organisation we had to immediately adapt and respond to a new challenge to Scotland’s health and wellbeing;the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move forward and mature as an organisation, our vision is to create a Scotland where everybody thrives, seeing life expectancy improve and promote health and wellbeing.
Our Board members come from a wide range of backgrounds in the public, private and voluntary sector and bring a wealth of knowledge to set the high standards of governance and provide strategic leadership for the organisation, consistent with our values. The Board has strong leadership from our Chair and collaborative ways of working with the Executive team. We have three of our Committee Chairs taking part in the Aspiring Chairs programme and act as a host Board for a member of the Aspiring Chairs programme from another Health Board.
We believe our standards of Governance and Board strategic leadership would benefit an apprentice to learn and develop with supportive, friendly and experienced Board colleagues and be offered the opportunity to see a Board work well together and with a shared ambition to offer strategic direction to the organisation. We are also a learning Board in a maturing organisation and welcome feedback to help us continue to reflect on practice and grow and develop as a Board.
Location of Board and Committee Meetings
Glasgow, Edinburgh and as we are a national Board, we travel around Scotland to engage with partners and stakeholders
Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings
Our Board Committee Meetings, in accordance with the terms of reference, are held a minimum of 4 times a year. Our Board meetings are more regular.
Date of Board Meetings (January 2024 – December 2024)
So far the agreed dates are: 14 February 24;18 October;6 December 2023;14 February 2024;30 March 2024
Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January 2024 – December 2024)
Finance Audit and Risk – 23 August 2023;15 November 2023;24 January 2024;13 March 2024
Staff Governance Committee – 6 September 2023;13 December 2023;21 February 2024
Population Health and Clinical Governance – 13 September 2023;20 December 2023
