Appointments Commission
The Commission makes all non-executive appointments to the boards of NHS bodies. There are around 4,000 chairs and non-executives on NHS boards. Of these up to 1,500 may be appointed annually. The Appointments Commission follows the guidance set by the Commission for Public Appointments which aims to ensure that all public appointments are made on merit following a proper process.
The Department of Health has set targets for increasing the representation of women, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities on NHS boards. Appointments to Department of Health national bodies usually require specialist candidates, which has the effect of limiting candidates that can apply. Despite this, there is an encouraging increase in the number of BME candidates in these posts, from 10.2% to 12.8%. in the period 2008 -2009.
The number of disabled people appointed to national bodies has increased to 4.2% compared with 2.6% the previous year. The situation for local appointments, however, has deteriorated slightly from 4.7% in 2008. The appointment of women continues to be a significant concern. The number of women appointed to Department of Health national bodies has fallen slightly, from 40.5% in the year 2008. That is mirrored in figures for local NHS posts where a long-term downward trend continues: the number of such appointments filled by women was 47% in April 2002, and had dropped to 33.7% in 2009.
Why might I contact the Appointments Commission?
You can find out what public appointments there currently are in the NHS
You can find out how to apply for a NHS public appointment
If you are already a NHS appointee you can find information on training available
You can also find out about public appointments in other Departments
Chair: Anne Watts CBE
Commissioner for London: Anne Lloyd CBE
Chief Executive: Andrea Sutcliffe
Appointments Commission
Blenheim House
Duncombe Street
Leeds
LS1 4PL
Telephone: 0870 240 3802
Fax: 0113 394 2955
Email: info@appointments.org.uk
