New Convenor of Net Policy and Action Group

Posted Monday 10 November 2008

Dr Karen Gaskell lives in Drymen with husband Philip and cat Thumper. She has been a member of St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Aberfoyle for the past 4 years where she publishes the church magazine, helps run bible studies and the prayer group. Before coming to Scotland 8 years ago, Karen was actively involved in Anglican churches in North Devon, Reading, Welwyn Garden City and Winchester, undertaking a variety of roles ranging from churchwarden to Alpha course leader.

A statistician by training, Karen has worked in assessment of evidence to support health policy decisions. She is now a Non Executive Director on Forth Valley NHS Board, chairing the Clackmannanshire Community Health Partnership which seeks to improve health and reduce inequalities in that county. She chaired the government committee that reviewed the funding allocation formula used by NHS Scotland and is an independent adviser to international government agencies who have to make tough decisions about investments in new health interventions. She chairs an international think tank bringing together industry and health agencies and an international group seeking to ensure that patients’ voices play an effective part in decision making about health service priorities.

As the Diocesan Plan was being developed Karen challenged Bishop David to consider how the charges across our large Diocese would be supported to take forward the important work of mission and growth. The Bishop has thrown the ball back to her and asked her to help develop materials from the ‘Nine Marks of Mission’ that can help each charge review its opportunities for growth and consider how to take forward initiatives to achieve the Diocesan Vision. She takes on this role, working with a new Diocesan Officer, a small sub-group of people from across the Diocese and the other Action Plan convenors, linking with all congregations across the Diocese.