Masterclass Library

Masterclass Library

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Welcome to the Masterclass Library, a collection of expert led videos designed to support NHS Scotland Board members in their roles. Each masterclass provides clear, practical insight from topic specialists, helping you deepen your understanding across a range of subjects.

The Effective Non-Executive Director

This session was designed to deepen understanding of the Non-Executive Director role, create space to learn from the experience of colleagues across NHS Boards, and strengthen the collective impact of Non-Executives across Scotland.

Equality Diversity Inclusion and Human Rights

This session explored the vital role Non-Executives played in progressing equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights. The panel shared insights into the practices that had strengthened impact, along with reflections on the challenges and opportunities that came with championing diversity in governance. The session also considered how Health Boards could meet their legal duties in this area, ensuring compliance with equality and human rights legislation.

Personal Communitcation Skills

During our Aspiring Chairs programme, we were joined by Muckle and Spey Media for a day of communication support. Every year, Aspiring Chairs praised this day highly and noted it as a highlight of the programme.

We asked Muckle and Spey Media to provide a short video with a set of hints and tips that were useful for any communications Non-Executives or Chairs were involved in. This was expanded upon during the Aspiring Chairs communications session in much more detail, but we hoped participants found it helpful

NHS Finance for Non-Executives

This session, led by colleagues from the Scottish Government Finance Team, provided a focused overview of the key financial responsibilities of NHS Scotland Non-Executive Directors and offered practical insights to support strong financial oversight and governance. It introduced updated finance information with added critical questions to help you challenge and scrutinise your Board’s financial reporting and performance. The Finance Delivery Unit also reaffirmed their support in helping you understand the financial position and the expectations placed on Boards.

Remuneration Committees

REMCO’s are a central part of good NHS governance, routinely overseeing very sensitive information and making difficult decisions. Chairs and members need to ensure that they apply the guidance and support available and have a space to discuss any questions or concerns. In this masterclass, David Garbutt and Fiona Hogg discussed how a remuneration committee should work. They shared lessons from their experience of being involved in REMCOs and reflected on the national picture including good practice, common pitfalls, and scope for improvements.

Audit Scotland

This masterclass was an opportunity for non-executive directors to hear directly from Audit Scotland about their observations and on the wider themes from their work across health and care.

Ethical Standards

The Ethical Standards Commissioner is an independent parliamentary officeholder who investigates complaints that MSPs, members of public bodies and councillors have not adhered to their respective Codes of Conduct. He also regulates ministerial appointments to the boards of public bodies in Scotland.

This masterclass gave an opportunity to hear directly from the Ethical Standards Commissioner, and the session included the following: the role of the Ethical Standards Commissioner and his office; the importance of fairness, good conduct, and transparency in public life; exploration of organisational culture and values – reflecting on when things are working well and when things fall short; and emerging issues.

Clinical Governance Masterclass

Clinical governance is a core part of NHS Governance and the role of non-executives, whether you chair the relevant governance committee or are responsible as part of your role on the Board.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has published Clinical Governance Standards to help provide assurance that organisations are providing high quality and safe healthcare in line with best practice, national policy and legislation.

The masterclass was an opportunity to hear about current developments and emerging issues, and a chance to share learning and practice across the Boards.