Reappointment of three non-Executive Members to the Patient And Client Council

The Department of Health has announced the reappointment of three Non-Executive Members to the Patient and Client Council (PCC).

The reappointments for Mr Paul Douglas, Non-Executive (Lay) Member; Mr Patrick Farry Non-Executive (Finance) Member; and Mr Alan Hanna, Non-Executive (Lay) Member commenced on 1 April 2023 and will end on a date not later than 31 March 2027. 

 The PCC’s Non-Executive Member positions attract a remuneration of £3,946 per annum and require 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’s role with respect to health and social care services is to represent the interests of the public; promote the involvement of the public; assist people making or intending to make a complaint through advocacy; promote the advice and information by HSC bodies to the public about the design, commissioning and delivery of services; and to undertake research into the best methods and practices for consulting and engaging the public.

The PCC Council is made up of a Non-Executive Chair and 16 Non-Executive Members.

Notes to editors: 

1. Mr Paul Douglas has 15 years’ experience as a senior manager within the Police Service of Northern Ireland prior to his retirement in 2010. Mr Douglas was previously Vice Chair of the NW Community Safety Partnership and a partner in the Western Investment for Health Forum, Council Lay Member for the Pharmaceutical Society for Northern Ireland and a Non-Executive Member of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland. Mr Douglas holds one other public appointment with the Executive Office as a Lay Commissioner with Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission. This position has a time commitment of 20 days per year and attracts remuneration of £330 per day.

2. Mr Patrick Farry is a graduate of Queens University Belfast. He is a Chartered Certified Accountant and is a Director in HLB McGuire + Farry Limited, specialising in taxation and general business advisory. His other roles include: Director in Keys Premium Finance (2006) Limited, a finance company operating throughout UK and Ireland; Director/Honorary Treasurer of Craigowen Housing Association which provides housing and related amenities for adults with learning difficulties; and Honorary Treasurer at Dunfanaghy Golf Club, Co Donegal. From 1994 to 2017, Mr Farry was a Director of NIACRO, a voluntary organisation working to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. Mr Farry was also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Commission for Victims and Survivors, his term ending in 2016. He is currently a Director of Craigowen Housing Association which provides housing and related amenities for adults with learning difficulties. 

3. Mr Alan Hanna is a self-employed consultant working within the voluntary sector. His career has included senior management roles within several voluntary organisations and telecommunications. He has worked with organisations supporting people with disabilities, older people, families, people with diabetes and heart conditions and in the arts. These roles involved leading on developing and delivering strategic plans within Northern Ireland and at UK level. He has also served on several public boards within Northern Ireland including Green Park Healthcare Trust, the Business Services Organisation and the NI Fire and Rescue Service.

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

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 appointees have declared that they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

6. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by e-mail               pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk
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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.

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