Dumfries & Galloway independent scrutiny panel
In 2009 the Scottish Government set up an independent Panel to scrutinise proposals for changes to clinical services in Dumfries & Galloway.
The task of the Panel was to bring to bear independent, expert, probing scrutiny on the relevant service proposals for consultation from NHS Dumfries & Galloway. The aim of this scrutiny was to provide assurance to the public that the proposals for consultation:
- were safe, sustainable, evidence-based and represent value for money
- were robust, patient-centred and consistent with clinical best practice and national policy
- had fully considered all viable service options
In order to carry out its task the Panel was required to:
- provide a clear, comprehensive and accessible commentary on the proposals, in a form also suitable for publication
- complete this work by September 2009
Panel membership
The Dumfries & Galloway Panel was chaired by Professor Frank Clark CBE. Professor Clark has been Convenor of the Care Commission since his appointment in October 2006. His previous experience includes 11 years as Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, and spells as Chairman of Forth Valley Primary Care Trust and the board of NHS Forth Valley.
Professor Jane Farmer is Chair of Rural Health Policy and Management at the UHI Millennium Institute. Her research interests focus on rural healthcare provision, including ways of providing services to remote and rural areas and involving stakeholders in service design.
Professor Gordon Peterkin was the founding Director of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth. He is a former GP and also served as Medical Director of Grampian Healthcare. His expertise includes health service redesign, unscheduled care and community hospitals.
Panel process
The Panel started its work in April 2009 and met regularly to scrutinise the health board's proposals and other related information. Where necessary, the Panel sought additional expert advice to assist it in its work.
Panel members visited Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary to gain an understanding of how health services across the area currently operated, and what the practical impact of the proposed options might be.
The Panel published its final report in September 2009.