CV

BSc, RGN, RMN, Diploma (Clinical), Dist Nurse, PhD, MBA, QNIS Fellow

I have been committed throughout my working life to the NHS, and specifically to the development of community nursing, and the support of vulnerable people (older people, the mentally ill, learning disabled and the poor). I worked in deprived areas as one of the first psychiatric nurses in Edinburgh, and the care of the chronically sick, at home, in institutions or in care facilities, continues to be my focus of interest. My career has reflected these passions, and although I have retired from paid work, I continue with voluntary work as time allows.

Career History

My career began unconventionally in academia, with an integrated degree course (1971–1976) in Nursing, followed by clinical, teaching and research roles before I opted for a management career and completed an MBA. I was a young NHS Nursing Director (1989–1993), first in the Grampian Mental Health Unit, then in Lothian Primary Care (in various guises) until 2006. I am committed to the ethos of the public sector, but also enjoy working closely with third sector partners.

As a community nurse leader, I was seconded as the Chief Nursing Officer’s Professional Advisor (2005), and created Non-Medical Prescribing Guidance for Scotland, working within the Scottish Government’s Primary Care Directorate. This involved a national audit across Scotland on nurse prescribing, to identify gaps and barriers to implementation and to advise on future strategy.

I retired in 2006, when Primary Care Trusts were abolished, and went on to develop a portfolio career, largely taking on non-executive director and governance roles, the discrete nature of which I have greatly enjoyed. I remain research active, and have retained my interests in audit and quality improvement. I renewed my nurse registration in 2021 (valid until 2024).

I came out of retirement in 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worked for six months at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a Volunteer Co-ordinator. In 2022 I also worked for six months as an interim manager at Bridgend Farmhouse, a community centre, where I strengthened governance systems and positioned it to become income-generating as it reopened after COVID.

Non-Executive Governance Roles

• Mental Welfare Commissioner, 1997–2005 — Led inspections in Argyll and Bute, and served as a Commissioner during the review of the Mental Health and Incapacity Acts.
• Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, Lay Board Member, 2007–2011 — Helped set up this new organisation, leading on personnel and staff governance and serving on the Audit and Finance Committee.
• Nursing & Midwifery Council, Appointment Board, Registrant Board Member, 2007–2011 — Appointment renewed after first term. Recruited and appraised fitness-to-practise panellists.
• Accounts Commission, Board Member, 2009–2015 — Sponsored audits including Reshaping Care for Older People, Transport for Health and Social Care, Health Inequalities, and School Education, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local authorities. Member of the Financial, Audit & Assurance Committee.
• Care Inspectorate, Board Member, 2015–2020 — Served on the Resources, and Audit and Risk Committees, and helped the CEO create a Quality Assurance Strategy and outcomes for the Corporate Plan.
• Care Inspectorate, Locum Advisor, 2021–2023 — Approached to help embed quality into internal systems post-COVID, set up a Care Governance Committee, and mentor the organisation’s newly introduced Chief Nurse role.

Voluntary Governance as Trustee

• Enable Scotland, Trustee, 2012–2015 — Appointed through competitive interview following a governance review; helped transform the organisation’s approach to quality improvement in response to Care Inspectorate enforcement notices. Completed a three-year term.
• Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS), Trustee then Vice Chair, 2014–2022 — Chaired committees on staff governance, nominations, and Catalysts for Change, which disbursed funds to support small-scale research by community nurses to address inequalities.

Research Work

• Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, 2006–2009 — Conducted focus group research and published briefing papers over two years to help influence government policy.
• University of Edinburgh, 2015–2017 — Led alumni research celebrating 60 years of nursing higher education, carrying out data collection, analysis and write-up, and producing a full report.
• Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, 2019 — Worked full-time for six months analysing data on Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) and the National Preventive Mechanism, which works to prevent torture in institutions including care homes. Produced a report with recommendations for continuous improvement across Scotland.
• Pain Concern, 2010–present — Completed six pieces of evaluation research for the charity, evidencing outcomes and benefits to funders, most recently in 2023.
• Neuven, 2021–present — Reviews policies for organisations seeking Care Inspectorate registration to operate in Scotland.

Voluntary Work

• Pain Concern, Chair of Advisory Board, 2010–present — Chairs an Advisory Board and has steered production of “Airing Pain,” a fortnightly internet radio programme.
• Independent Prison Monitor, 2016–2022 — Visited HMP Addiewell weekly as part of a team ensuring prisoners’ human rights were upheld, and served on the inequality and diversity committee.
• Scottish Legal Aid Board, Lay Quality Assurance Member, 2018–2022 — Served on the Moderation Committee, auditing implementation of the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers to ensure consistent advice across Citizens Advice Bureaux.