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I found this story of interest because if we, as a profession, are moving toward inclusion and equality then we should also consider the need for regulating bodies and employers to be represented at Board and Executive level.

If you know of any interesting stories please email David Wright at: d.j.wright@sheffield.ac.uk.

2002 Campaign aims to boost disabled numbers Ceefax pg.119, BBC. 25 August.

People with disabilities are hugely under-represented on public bodies such as NHS Trusts or the BBC Board of Governors, a study has found.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments, Dame Rennie Fritchie, is now campaigning to increase numbers.

Figures revealed disabled people make up an average of 2.9% of the numbers on such bodies. Dame Fritchie said it was vital to have "the right mix of people".

The full report can be found at:
Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 2000 Public Appointments to NHS Trusts and Health Authorities London (March) [PDF, 96 pages - approx. 1.6Mb].

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are anxious to ensure proper representation on boards of ... people with disabilities (page 90).

By post from:
OCPA
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Email: opca@gtnet.gov.uk

Also of interest:

Robinson F & Shaw K, 2001 Governance in the Health Service: Who Runs the NHS in the North East of England Local Governance 27(4): 175-96
NHSwho.doc (29 pages)

In a recently published study we attempted to reveal who is in charge of the institutions responsible for providing public services and spending taxpayers' money in one region - the North East of England.

There are currently 35 non-executive members on the region’s six Health Authorities. There were 33 non-executive members, consisting of 13 men and 20 women - a female majority which reflects well on the NHS and is certainly very different from many other quangos in the region. In 1994 we found that there were only 13 women out of 40 non-executives on the region’s Health Authorities - 32% compared with 61%. In view of the work of the NHS it was surprising that, according to the Health Authorities, none of the 33 non-executives in 1999 were disabled [my emphasis]. Only two of the 33 were from ethnic minority groups. 24 - nearly three-quarters - were aged 45-65, with four under 45 and five aged over 65.