28 March 2008 - Appointment of Chair to the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today announced that the Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has appointed Dr Robert Henry McGuigan CBE for a further one year term with effect from 1 April 2008.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) was established as a Special Agency by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety from 1 April 2004. The Agency’s main responsibility is to facilitate the provision of high quality postgraduate and continuing medical and dental education within Northern Ireland, enabling healthcare to be provided which compares favourably with the best in the United Kingdom.
2. The board of the Agency consists of a non-executive Chair and five non-executive members (three lay members, one medical member and one dental member).
3. The Chair of the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency receives annual remuneration of £12,898.
4. The appointment was made with the approval of the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. There are no specific qualifications for appointment. Each person is appointed on merit to act in a personal capacity and not to represent any particular interest or group.
5. The appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointment for Northern Ireland.
6. 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 the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. Dr McGuigan declared that he had not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
7. Dr Robert Henry (Harry) McGuigan CBE BSc PhD CEng FIMechE, lives in Whitehead. He was formerly Pro-Vice Chancellor and Provost of the University of Ulster from 1984 until 1996. He was Chair of the Northern Health and Social Services Board from 1984 to 1989 and Chair of the former United Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust for the period November 1995 to January 2004. Dr McGuigan was formerly Chair of the Department’s Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards until 31 December 2004. He was initially appointed Chair of NIMDTA from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2008. He has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
8. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS on 028 9052 0579 / 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.