Susan Douglas-Scott CBE has been appointed as the Interim Chair of the Scottish government’s National Care Service Advisory Board, a body which ministers say will take several months to develop into its final form.

The Scottish government says Ms Douglas-Scott brings almost three decades of experience working across disability, health and social care sectors, advocating for equality across local authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations and charities.

The advisory board was set up by ministers to help inform the direction of the new Care Reform (Scotland) Bill following the decision to scrap plans for structural reform of the sector.

The board is due to meet for the first time in May, and invitations to people to join the board are to be sent out this month.

Announcing the appointment, Scotland’s Minister for Social Care, Maree Todd said:

“I am pleased that Susan will take up the role as interim chair of the National Care Service Advisory Board. With years of experience advocating for people with disabilities and people who use health and social care services I know she will bring knowledge and passion to the role.

“The Board will play a key role in our work to improve social care, social work and community health services by making sure they are consistent, fair and high quality.”

For the past 11 years, Ms Douglas-Scott has worked as a freelance consultant in equalities, health, disability and social care; as a non-executive director and a charity trustee. 

This followed an 18-year career in local authorities and across third sector organisations including as CEO of PHACE Scotland, Epilepsy Scotland and the Health and Social Care Alliance.

She also served as Chair of the Independent Living Fund Scotland which plays a central role in supporting disabled people and the wider independent living movement.

Susan Douglas-Scott said she is “honoured” to join as the interim chair:

“I have spent my career offering, leading and governing best practice in social care, and as a disabled person, I understand the importance of services that get to the heart of citizenship. 

“Collaboration and holding on to Scotland’s values of integrity and inclusion will mean that this board will add value to the emergence of what we all hope for: a National Care Service that offers the very best support possible for the people of Scotland. 

“I look forward to leading this board through its early development and to working with everyone involved.”

Invitations to sit on the interim board will be issued in the coming weeks.

The Social Care Minister confirmed that this board will serve for an interim period, bringing together lived experience and expertise to inform change with a “final” social care advisory board to follow.

Ms Todd added:

“The interim Board will bring together members with direct knowledge and lived experience of services to allow for work to get underway more quickly.

“Recruitment to the final, more substantive board will begin in the coming months.”

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