Extensions to the terms of three non-executive members to the Patient and Client Council

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced extensions to the terms of three Non-Executive Members to the Patient and Client Council (PCC).

Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Cuddy’s appointment as Non-Executive Lay Member has been extended from 16 December 2021 to a date not later than 15 April 2022. Mr William Halliday’s appointment as Non-Executive Lay Member has been extended from 9 December 2021 to a date not later than 8 April 2022.  Mrs Joan McEwan’s appointment as Non- Executive Voluntary and Community Member has been extended from 2 December 2021 to a date not later than 1 April 2022. 

The Non-Executive Member position attracts an annual remuneration of

£3,868 with a time commitment of 2 days per month.

These appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

The PCC was created on 1 April 2009 as part of the reform of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. The PCC promote advice and information about health and social care services, while listening and acting on people’s views and giving confidential advice.     

The PCC Board is made up of one Non-Executive Chair and 16 Non-Executive Members.

Notes to editors: 

1. Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Cuddy OBE DL is Chief Executive of the Southern Area Hospice Services (since July 2017). She was a Director of Radius Housing to June 2018 and prior to its formation was Chair of Helm Housing from 2012-2017. Mrs Cuddy has many years of experience in the health and social care and charitable sectors.  She also served as an Independent Assessor for the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) from 2012-2017.
2. Mr William Halliday OBE has an extensive career in health and social care management having a particular interest in mental health and disability matters. Prior to his retirement he was the Chief Executive of MindWise and has been very active in raising awareness of mental health issues. He chaired the Human Rights and Equality strand of the Bamford Review on mental health and learning disability.  Mr Halliday has previous board room experience both in NI and England and is currently a Non - Executive member of the board of the Belfast City Mission. He currently serves as an Independent Assessor for the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI).  Mr Halliday was awarded an OBE in the 2014 New Year’s honours list for services to people with disabilities and mental health conditions.
3. Mrs Joan McEwan currently works with Marie Curie in Northern Ireland as Head of Policy and Public Affairs.  She has experience in the field of health and social care especially within the area of end of life care and of working in partnership with the public and third sectors to meet the needs of patients. Her background in banking has provided her with extensive financial management skills in managing budgets, investment programmes as well as governance and risk management. Mrs McEwan is also a Non-Executive member of the Department of Education Board and Chair of its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

4. Appointments to the PCC are made with the approval of the Health Minister.

5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.  The three appointees have declared that they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

6. The three appointees do not currently hold any other public appointments.  

7. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by e-mail               pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk
8. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt
9. 8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page