Chamber and committees

Because of the commercially sensitive nature of current discussions it would not be appropriate to compromise or prejudice the commercial process by publishing minutes of the board or disclosing the names of its members at this time.

The Scottish Government takes its assurance on the corporate governance arrangements of NHS Lothian from the external auditors; in this case Audit Scotland. The following is an extract from the most recent audit report, for the fiscal period 2010-11:

Corporate Governance is concerned with the structures and process for decision making, accountability, control and behaviour at the upper levels of an organisation. Overall, the high level corporate governance and control arrangements for NHS Lothian operated satisfactorily during the year, as reflected in the Statement on Internal Control.

The Permanent Secretary is required to sign a Statement on Internal Control in respect of the Scottish Government consolidated accounts. To enable him to sign the statement, which forms part of the accounts, he requires assurance on the maintenance and review of internal control within or affecting the Scottish Government.

Within the Health and Social Care portfolio, this assurance is provided by statements from each of the accountable officers. Their statements are supported by, among others, statements of assurance from the sponsored bodies, including NHS boards and special health boards.

Chairs of the audit committees of sponsored bodies are required to write to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Audit and Risk Committee to advise of:

Any significant issues arising locally or specifically highlighted by internal or external audit;

Any disclosures in their Accountable Officer’s Statement on Internal Control in respect of weaknesses or deficiencies, and

Any significant frauds notified during the year.

No issues were reported in the Statement of Assurance from NHS Lothian for the fiscal period 2010-11.