UK Government: Non-Executive Directors Announced for new Adjudication Body for Health Professionals

The Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator will deal with cases referred to it by the GMC and subsequently the GOC.

The newly appointed non-executive directors will work with the Chair Walter Merricks to oversee the important task of establishing this new independent body, which, from 2011, will adjudicate on fitness to practise cases brought before it by the GMC and subsequently the GOC.

The separation of investigation from adjudication through the creation of OHPA, will demonstrate that fitness to practise decisions are fair and effective, separate from the regulators, the professions and Government.

The GMC and GOC will continue their current role regarding doctors, dispensing opticians and optometrists, setting standards of practice, investigating complaints and deciding whether to refer concerns about a professional's fitness to practise to an OHPA panel for a hearing.

The Appointments Commission on behalf of the Privy Council made both appointments based upon merit and following fair and open competition. Political activity has played no part in the process.

Walter Merricks OHPA Chair said:

"I am pleased to welcome Andrew Colquhoun and Pamela Charlwood as fellow

directors of OHPA. They both have distinguished career histories and will bring relevant blends of experience to the board. Their appointments mark an early milestone in the development of OHPA."

Notes to editors

1. For more information or for media inquires please call the Department of Health Press Office on 0207 210 5221

2. The White Paper, 'Trust, Assurance and Safety' set out the Government's intention to establish a new Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator which will have functions (across the whole of the U.K.) in relation to the professions regulated by the Medical Act 1983 and subsequently the Opticians Act 1989.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_065946

3. The Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator, OHPA is being established as a new independent body set up under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

4. The Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (OHPA) will be entirely independent from government. Independent adjudication is intended to further enhance confidence in the decision making process around fitness to practise.

Mr Andrew Colquhoun,

Non-Executive Director, the Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator

Appointment

Non-Executive Director

Length of Appointment

4 Years from November 2009

Remuneration

GBP7765 per annum

Declared political activity in the last five years

None

Other ministerial appointments held

None

Career History

Andrew is chairman of the Investigation Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and holds a number of non-executive positions in the field of horticulture and the environment. He is also a practising counsellor.

He graduated with a BSc from Nottingham University, was awarded a PhD from Glasgow University and an MBA from City University. His early career was in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before moving to work for Shandwick Consultants. In 1986, he became Director of Education and Training at the Institute of Chartered Accountants, rising to be the Institute's Secretary and Chief Executive from 1990 to 1997. In 1999, he was appointed Director-General of the Royal Horticultural Society, a post he held until 2006.

Ms Pamela Charlwood,

Non-Executive Director, the Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator

Appointment

Non-Executive Director

Length of Appointment

3 Years from November 2009

Remuneration

GBP7765 per annum

Declared political activity in the last five years

None

Other ministerial appointments held

Yes,

Hampshire Partnership NHS, Department of Health. May 2008 - May 2012. Received payments of GBP6005.

SE England Development, BERR. Dec 2006 - Dec 2011. Received payments of GBP8538.

Learning & Skills Council SE Region, DIUS. Sept 2008 - April 2010. Received payments of GBP7392.

Career History

Pamela is Vice Chair of the Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and non-executive lead for clinical governance and risk. She is a non-executive board member of the South East England Regional Development Agency, and of the Learning and Skills Council South East Region.

She graduated in history at Bristol University, and pursued a career in health service management, rising to become chief executive of the Avon Health Authority from 1994 to 2001, and then of the South Central Connexions Partnership from 2002 to 2008 - a Government funded service providing advice and support for young people.

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