Message from the Chair

Cathy Smith

I'm very pleased to have the opportunity of Chairing SHINE through what, I believe, will be an exciting period for the network.

We now have a very clear action plan for the next few years as a result of the consultation exercise which was undertaken last year. In particular, I am very excited about the suggestion to develop a mentoring network. One of the key weaknesses identified through the consultation was the reliance of SHINE on volunteers, which means that SHINE constantly needs to recruit and enable members to take responsibility for the running and development of the network. I believe that the development of a mentoring network will help us to do this more effectively.

Another thing I am particularly keen to look at over the coming year is the governance of SHINE, i.e. how the committee is constructed and the roles committee members play in the running of SHINE. I believe the committee is here to represent the views and the best interests of the wider SHINE network, and to put into place systems and functions that meet the needs of SHINE members. Therefore it is especially important that the Committee is properly representative and properly appointed and enabled to meet these needs. I want to initiate a project team, which will consider these issues and make recommendations for the next AGM.

I would like to thank Margaret for her work as SHINE Chair over the last 4 years. Her influence on the network has been considerable, as, I believe, is evidenced by the increased involvement of members in all aspects of SHINE, involvement in the working groups, nominations for the Committee, and the huge turnout at the Regional meetings.

Lastly, I would like to say that if anyone has any ideas, comments, complaints or issues that they would like to highlight or discuss in relation to SHINE, please get in touch, either with me, or with any member of the Committee.

Cathy Smith
Chair of SHINE
e-mail: catherine.smith@fifenhsboard.scot.nhs.uk
or: catherinesmith@nhs.net