Public Partner

Do you have an interest in supporting Healthcare Improvement Scotland develop evidence-based advice and guidance to ensure the people of Scotland receive the best quality of healthcare?

Can you dedicate some of your valuable free time to help us with this important work?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then we have an exciting volunteering opportunity for you.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland is recruiting to a voluntary position, known as Public Partner, to help us in our work, specifically with the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG).


SHTG Role

The SHTG is a national health technology assessment (HTA) agency providing advice to NHSScotland on the use of new and existing health technologies that are likely to have significant implications for people’s care in Scotland. We provide advice to NHSScotland on the use of new and existing health technologies (excluding medicines), likely to have significant implications for people’s care. More information is available at: www.shtg.scot


We are looking for people with sound judgement and the ability to weigh up complex evidence to reach an objective and impartial conclusion, as members of the Scottish Health Technologies Group Council and as a member of Evidence Review Team (ERT) Meetings.


SHTG Public Partners provide public perspectives, ensuring these viewpoints are considered in recommendations made to NHSScotland on health technologies.


Meetings for both SHTG Council and ERT take place 6 times per year and last between 3 to 4 hours per meeting. All meetings are held virtually using MS Teams. The role requires significant preparation time to read meeting papers prior to the meeting dates.


The expected time commitment for this role is roughly 8 hours per month however this will vary depending on topics and need.


You must live in Scotland to be a Public Partner. While the role of Public Partner is voluntary, expenses will be paid in line with Healthcare Improvement Scotland Policy.


We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and particularly from candidates from minority ethnic backgrounds, younger age groups and who consider themselves disabled. These groups are currently under-represented within our work.


To request an application pack please email the Equality Inclusion & Human Rights team: his.equality@nhs.scot


Closing date: Monday 7th September 2026


Interviews will be held week commencing 21st September 2026

Experience required

Key skills required for the role:
· Excellent communicator
· Ability to listen to, read and assimilate information and weigh evidence
· Ability to express ideas concisely and ask challenging questions
· Have self confidence in a mixed group of professionals
· Ability to look at a situation from a variety of perspectives, not purely from own experience.

Travel expenses

All pre-approved expenses paid

Training details

Public partners are not required to understand all aspects of the research methodology and approaches used. A full induction programme to SHTG is provided to all new public partners. Public partners will also receive equipment to ensure full participation in meetings.

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Availability

Frequency & commitment

Various

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