Janie McCusker was appointed as the new Chair of NHS Forth Valley earlier this year and took up new post just when NHS services across the country were placed on an emergency footing to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. While this hasn’t prevented her from chairing NHS Board meetings which are currently taking place via teleconferencing every month, it has stopped her from getting out and about to see local healthcare facilities and meet frontline staff.
Janie said: “Although I haven’t been able to meet many staff face-to-face yet I’ve had the opportunity to hear first-hand about the wide range of work underway to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Myself and fellow Board members have been incredibly impressed by everything that has been achieved across the entire organisation in such a short space of time. I’ve heard many examples of how staff have gone above and beyond to deal with the many challenges and changes over the last few months while still maintaining vital health services.
“I’ve also heard about many of the innovations and new ways of working which have put in place to provide care and treatment as safely as possible. As the focus now moves to recovery I know there will be many challenges ahead but, if what I’ve seen and heard in the last few months is anything to go by, I’m confident that NHS Forth Valley is well placed to respond to everything it faces in the weeks and months ahead.
“Hopefully I will be able to visit local services soon and get the chance to speak to many of the people I have heard about over the last few months. In the meantime, on behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do to support local services and care for local people across Forth Valley.”
Profile
Janie McCusker has had an extensive career with the Royal Air Force and has also worked with international organisations including the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. She has experience of establishing, directing and managing security departments and was a member of the United Nations governance body responsible for the development of UN security policies and procedures. She has also represented UNICEF on a high level strategic task for addressing the duty of care of personnel in high risk locations. Janie is currently Chair of the Glasgow Colleges Regional Board and is experienced in strategic leadership, governance, financial accountability, planning and delivery as well as building sustainable relationships across the public and private sectors. In addition, she holds a MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford and has a strong track record in influencing and managing change.
