Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the appointment of two new Non-Executive Lay Members and an Interim Chair to the Patient & Client Council (PCC).
Mr Tom Irvine and Mr Stephen Mathews appointments commenced on 12 September 2022 and will end on a date not later than 11 September 2026. Following the departure of the former Chair, Ms Christine Collins and her appointment to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), Mr Mathews has been appointed as the PCC’s Interim Chair. His appointment as Interim Chair commenced on 1 October 2022 and will end on a date not later than 28 February 2023.
The Non-Executive Member position attracts an annual remuneration of
£3,946 with a time commitment of 2 days per month. The Chair position attracts an annual remuneration of £18,453 with a time commitment of 1.5 days per week.
These appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
The PCC’s role with respect to health and social care services is to represent the interests of the public; promote the involvement of the public; assist people making or intending to make a complaint through advocacy; promote the advice and information by HSC bodies to the public about the design, commissioning and delivery of services; and to undertake research into the best methods and practices for consulting and engaging the public.
The PCC Board is made up of a Non-Executive Chair and 16 Non-Executive Members.
Notes to editors:
- Tom Irvine graduated from Queens University Belfast with a BSc in psychics. Joining Ford Motor Company in 1974 he has extensive experience in finance, human resources training and management development. After spending 32 years with Ford, Tom took early retirement to work in the public sector as a part-time pension lecturer. He has 15 years NED experience in both private and public sectors with 7 years as a trustee Director of the Ford/Visteon Pension Scheme and 8 years as a Board Member of the NI Local Government Pension Scheme (NILGOSC). This knowledge, experience and extensive skill set will enable him to make constructive contributions to the work of the PCC. Currently he is an Independent Assessor for the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland (CPANI) and a Lay Representative with the Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency.
- Stephen Mathews was Chief Executive of The Cedar Foundation, until October 2021, completing over 30 years’ service. Cedar supports over 3000 individuals living with disability, autism and brain injury to live the lives they choose. At Cedar he oversaw the development of a range of specialisms, including Supported Community Living for people with complex needs. He was appointed OBE in 2010 for services to people with a disability. A graduate of the Universities of Ulster and Birmingham he is Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualified and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. Stephen is a former Chair of CO3 and he continues involvement as a CEO Mentor. Stephen was appointed an Equality Commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) in 2019, completing his term in May 2022. He is the Northern Ireland volunteer advisor to UK grant giving charitable foundation The Henry Smith’s Charity, supporting the investment of over £1m per annum to NI 3rd Sector organisations.
- Appointments to the PCC are made with the approval of the Health Minister.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Mr Irvine and Mr Mathews have declared that they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
- Mr Irvine and Mr Mathews do not hold any other public appointments.
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