Medical staff across NHS Lanarkshire are being encouraged to get involved in the organisation’s Medical Advisory Committees, which play an important role in shaping decisions that affect services and patient care across Lanarkshire.
Membership of the Hospital Subcommittee and the Area Medical Committee is currently being refreshed, with interest welcomed from colleagues who want to share their experience, raise issues that matter, and contribute to discussions that inform board-level decision-making.
The Area Medical Committee meets six times a year and brings together hospital and GP representatives to provide clinical advice directly to the NHS Lanarkshire Board. The Hospital Subcommittee also meets six times a year and focuses on matters affecting hospital and secondary care services, with input from Medical Staff Associations in each hospital. Together, these committees help ensure that clinical insight from across services is reflected in wider organisational decisions.
Keith McIntyre, Chair of the Area Medical Committee, said: “This is about colleagues working together to make sure clinical experience and professional judgement are part of how decisions are made.
“These committees are not about contracts, pay or terms and conditions — they focus on clinical issues, service pressures and opportunities for improvement, and on providing practical advice based on day-to-day experience.
“Getting involved gives people an opportunity to highlight what’s working well, where challenges exist, and where attention may be needed.”
Taking part in the Medical Advisory Committees offers an opportunity to influence decisions at an early stage, raise issues that affect day-to-day clinical practice, and help shape the direction of services across NHS Lanarkshire. It also provides a way to connect with colleagues from across sites and specialties, gain insight into wider system challenges, and ensure local experience informs board-level discussions.
Keith added: “Previous committee experience is not required. An interest in contributing, listening to others and representing the views of colleagues across hospital services is what matters.”
Colleagues who are interested in getting involved, or who would like to find out more, are encouraged to contact Keith McIntyre at Keith.McIntyre@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
