The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, announced Ms McDonald’s appointment to the board alongside five other members.

Ms McDonald graduated from Glasgow University in 1989 and worked in private practice in Glasgow before moving to the public sector as a solicitor for the then Comhairle nan Eilean in 1993. During her career in the Western Isles, she acquired further skills in governance, corporate policy and community planning and was involved in the establishment of health and social care partnerships.

Since retiring in 2018 she has volunteered with Clydesdale Foodbank and has been a board member of Clydesdale Housing Association since 2022.

In these roles she has gained insight to the difficulties faced by the most vulnerable in society as well as the impact of positive interventions such as the provision of good quality affordable housing. As an unpaid carer to her elderly father, she has first hand experience of the challenges and opportunities of health and social care integration.

Ms McDonald’s appointment will last for four years from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028. It is a part-time position and offers remuneration of £9,030 per annum for a time commitment of one day per week.