This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland
22/02/2005
Deputy Health Minister Rhona Brankin today announced the appointment of Mrs Eileen Davie as President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.
Mrs Davie has been an Advocate since 1989 with a substantial civil practice covering a wide range of subjects in both public and private law.
Prior to her legal training she was a senior psychiatric social worker. Mrs Davie does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
The appointment will be from February 22, 2005, until February 21, 2010.
The President's remuneration will be £122,139 per annum, pro-rata. It is expected that Mrs Davie will work on a full-time basis.
Ms Brankin also announced the part-time appointment of 98 legal panel members and 55 medical panel members. Interviews for general panel members are currently in progress.
The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland is a Non Departmental Public Body established by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (the 2003 Act), sponsored by the Executive's Health Department. The President will play a key part in the initial set-up and ongoing directing of the Tribunal's hearings system.
The establishment of the Tribunal will mark a fundamental change in the way decisions are made about the long-term compulsory care and treatment of people in Scotland who suffer from mental disorders. Tribunal panels will consider both the compulsory powers sought and the plan of care proposed for the individual.
This Ministerial appointment followed the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS) Code of Practice, as a means of best practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Within the last five years, Mrs Davie has not been involved in any political activity.