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Health / Health board chair reappointed

Meanwhile Gary Robinson has signed an armed forces covenant for NHS Shetland

NHS Shetland chairman Gary Robinson has been reappointed to the role for a further four years.

He has presided over the health board since 2018, leading it through the Covid pandemic.

The Scottish Government said Robinson “remains committed to ensuring efficient partnership working and to seeing through the review of NHS Shetland’s estate including, the Gilbert Bain Hospital”.

Robinson was recently elected as an independent councillor for Lerwick North and Bressay, having previously been leader for the SIC.

Political activity plays no part in the selection process, although it does need to be declared.

The chair post is part-time and attracts an annual remuneration of £30,617 for a time commitment of three days per week.

Meanwhile Robinson was on hand to sign an armed forces covenant for NHS Shetland at the weekend.

NHS Shetland chairman Gary Robinson (left) with Brigadier Ben Wrench (centre) and IJB chief officer Brian Chittick (right). Photo: NHS Shetland

It pledges the health board’s commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

The covenant was signed alongside Brigadier Ben Wrench, commanding officer 51 Brigade, on Saturday at a gun salute event at Fort Charlotte in Lerwick.

Robinson thanked the armed forces for their assistance to NHS Shetland during the Covid pandemic.

“The military liaison officers, Major Graham and Major James, did a great deal in supporting how we managed our PPE,” he said.

“The systems they helped put in place ensured we had a steady supply of PPE throughout the pandemic. These systems are now entrenched and part of their legacy.”

The chairman also said the support provided by the RAF in evacuating Covid patients to the mainland at the beginning of the pandemic helped to allay fears around life-saving support.

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The signing was witnessed by Integration Joint Board chief officer Brian Chittick, who is the armed forces champion for NHS Shetland.

Chittick was in the military before joining NHS Shetland with medals for operations in Iraq, providing support for Afghanistan, two jubilees (gold and diamond), service to Brunei and long service.

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