Public Partner

• Healthcare Improvement Scotland

• VO101778

Do you have an interest in supporting Healthcare Improvement Scotland develop evidence-based advice and guidance to ensure the people of Scotland receive the best quality of healthcare.

Can you dedicate some of your valuable free time to help us with this important work?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then we have exciting volunteering opportunities for you.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland is recruiting three different voluntary positions, known as Public Partners, to help us in three areas of our work: the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG), Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

SAPG Committee Role
We are looking for individuals with sound judgement to provide a patient and public perspective on antibiotic use. SAPG public partners are non-clinical members who attend bimonthly committee meetings lasting 2 hours. They also participate in project groups and support the annual World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week in November.

SIGN Council role
We are looking for people with sound judgement who can participate in decisions about SIGN’s methodology and work programme. SIGN public partners are non-clinical members of SIGN Council (the policy-making body for SIGN) and are required to attend four meetings of SIGN Council per year. Meetings are held on a Wednesday and last 1.5 hours.

SMC Committee Role
We are looking for people with sound judgement and the ability to weigh up complex evidence to reach an objective and impartial conclusion, as members of a committee which provides advice on access to new medicines. SMC Public Partners are non-clinical full voting members of the SMC Committee and are required to attend monthly SMC Committee meetings, which take place over one afternoon on the first Tuesday of every month.

All roles require significant preparation time to read meeting papers. You will also be expected to attend a few other key meetings throughout the year. Most meetings are held virtually using MS Teams; however, a few are hybrid, with the opportunity to attend in person.

You must live in Scotland to be a Public Partner. While the role of Public Partner is voluntary, expenses will be paid, and training will be provided.

To arrange an informal chat about what is involved or to request an application pack please email the Equality, Inclusion & Human Rights Team: his.equality@nhs.scot

Experience required

Key skills required for all roles

· Excellent communicator
· Ability to listen to, read and assimilate information and weigh evidence
· Ability to express ideas concisely and ask challenging questions
· Have self-confidence in a mixed group of professionals
· Ability to look at a situation from a variety of perspectives, not purely from own experience.

Travel expenses

All pre-approved expenses paid

• About
• Notes

Dates

13 January 2025 - 6 January 2028

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Availability

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Frequency & commitment

Various

Volunteers (aged 18-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
Find out more

This is a home based, or remotely based opportunity

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