Appointments Commission

The spring issue of our online newsletter ‘Bulletin’ contains an article by Monitor’s Executive Chairman Bill Moyes, news of recent developments within the Appointments Commission and an interview with Marie Gabriel, chair of Newham Primary Care Trust.

If you do not yet receive a copy of ‘Bulletin’ and would like to join our mailing list, please e-mail info@appointments.org.uk

Download a copy of the latest issue here

The Chairs Conference 2008 featured an array of excellent speakers and thought provoking debate. The Appointment Commission’s Anne Watts hosted the day and welcomed Secretary of State Alan Johnson to the stage. In his address he highlighted some of the key challenges facing the NHS but also emphasised the progress made in meeting these challenges. He ended by expressing his appreciation for the important role of chairs and their leadership in the health service.

Mark Britnell and Bill Moyes, familiar figures in the NHS landscape discussed the critical contribution of chairs and their boards in service delivery and achieving world class commissioning. This provoked a lot of lively debate, which extended throughout the lunch break.

After lunch we were treated to a master class in governance from the renowned international expert Bob Garratt, famous as the author of “The fish rots from the head”. More food for thought was provided by Bernard Crump from the NHS Institute who was joined by the inspirational Maureen Bisognano and Jim Reinertsen from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in the States. Their focus on patient safety and the difference boards can make to the patient experience clearly resonated with the audience.

Finally Nigel Edwards encouraged the audience to focus on the strategic challenges ahead with his customary wit and style.

Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive of the Appointments Commission who organised the event said “The day was a great success. We have had lots of good feedback from delegates who appreciated hearing from the Secretary of State but also thoroughly enjoyed the different perspectives presented by our excellent speakers. We will be pulling together the key issues raised during the day into a report for Ministers.”

Summary of the 2008 Chairs Conference

Andrea Sutcliffe is to be the new Chief Executive of the Appointments Commission. Currently Deputy Chief Executive and Planning and Resources Director of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Andrea has more than 20 years experience in the health service and social care, in a wide range of roles. Andrea will take up her new role at the end of November.

Anne Watts CBE will take up the post of Chair of the Appointments Commission from 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2011, replacing Sir William Wells when his current term of office comes to an end. From 1 January 2007, she will act as non-executive director of the Commission until taking up the Chair post formally. The remuneration payable for the chair post is £30,000 pa for a time commitment of two days a week and for the non-executive post, £7,500 for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

A working guide for ambulance trust boards, which will enable them to rapidly and effectively move their new organisations into the centre ground of healthcare provision and away from their old image as the transport and trauma function of the health service.

Sir William Wells retires as chair of the Appointments Commission on 31st March 2007 and the campaign to appoint his successor is underway.

For further details of this campaign, including an information pack and application form please go to our vacancies page. Alternatively call our recruitment centre on 0870 240 3802 to request a pack, quoting reference DH6064. The closing date for applications is 10th November 2006.

The Appointments Commission will now hold regular public board meetings. The next meeting is on Wednesday 15th November 2006 at 10.30 am at Cheapside House, 138 Cheapside, London EC2V 6BB. If you plan to attend or need further details please contact us on 0113 3942965.

The NHS Appointments Commission Special Health Authority was abolished on 30th September and replaced by the Appointments Commission, a non-departmental public body. This website will be updated over the next few weeks to reflect these changes.

The Appointments Commission Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th September at 4.30 pm at 138 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6BB. Please contact 0113 394 2965 if you have any queries about the meeting.

Primary care trusts (PCTs) and ambulance trusts are to be reorganised as part of the Government’s drive to create a patient-led NHS. Information and maps can be found on the Department of Health website.

A focus on the information requirements of boards of acute and mental health trusts compiled by Dr Foster with a steering group chaired by Sir William Wells, chairman of the Appointments Commission.

The first of our regular newsletters for Independent Assessors is now available.

Our Annual Report and Summary Financial Statement 2004/05 is now available to download.

The 2004/05 Appointments Commission Annual Accounts document is now available to download.

Local Procedure for Managing Chairs and Non-Executives with Ill-Health is now available to download.

Local Induction Programmes for Newly Appointed Non-Executive Directors in the NHS by Jai Tout, Chair of South Essex Partnership NHS Trust, is now available to download.

Evolving Corporate Governance in NHS Trusts by R.H.Beazley, Chairman, East and North Herts. NHS Trust is available to download.

The 2005/06 performance review guidance is now available to download.

The Independent Commission on Good Governance in Public Services has produced a "Good Governance Standard for Public Services"

This can be downloaded from www.opm.co.uk/ICGGPS