Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing today announced appointment of new members to NHS health boards.

NHS Boards are responsible for the strategic planning of health services and the development of measures to improve the health of the community in their region.

Mrs Julia Swan started her career teaching O / A levels and vocational sciences to health professional students in Further Education.  Julia has worked in a number of local authorities in England providing services to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in partnership with other services, including health. She has also led on establishing a number of innovative services such as integrated language support services and services for children and young people with autism.

Her most recent role was as Director of Education in Falkirk where she had a lead role in setting up coordinated children’s services and chairing the Forth Valley Regional GIRFEC group. During this time Julia also contributed to the development of the national Early Years Framework, chairing a task group and sitting on the main board. She have also contributed to national developments related to looked after children through LAC Strategic Implementation Group.

Her appointment will be within NHS Forth Valley for four years and will run from May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2017.

The appointments is part time and attracts a remuneration of £8,008 for a time commitment of eight hours per week.

Julia Swan does not hold any other ministerial appointments.

This appointment is regulated by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Julia Swan has had no any political activity in the last five years.