EIJB Board Members
Ralph Roberts
Vice Chair of Edinburgh Integration Joint Board
Ralph Roberts is Non- Executive Director on NHS Lothian Board, that he joined in July 2025 for a 4 year term. He was previously a career NHS manager having worked for NHS Scotland for more than 35 years. He began his NHS career in Edinburgh as a trainee and then a manager at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. He subsequently worked in managerial roles and as a Director in the Scottish Borders. He spent the last 14 years of his career as Chief Executive, firstly in NHS Shetland and latterly in NHS Borders. In these roles he was closely involved in working with Integration Joint Boards and Health & Social Care partnership as well as Community Planning partnerships and local authorities.
Ralph is committed to effective service planning and continuous improvement to services as well as a passion for creating a positive working environment for staff.
Outside of work, he is a proud father of 3 girls and enjoys musical theatre, singing, golf and football.
Philip Allenby
Member of the EIJB
A Scottish Solicitor and Notary Public, Phil has over 20 years’ international legal and business experience, and was Chief Counsel, Governance and Compliance, Europe, BT Plc.
He is a lecturer and senior tutor at the University of Glasgow School of Law. Phil holds degrees in mathematics, information technology and law.
Robin Balfour
Professional Advisor- EIJB & Clinical Director
Robin is currently the Interim part time Clinical Director of the EHSCP. A St. Andrew’s graduate, he has been working as a GP in Edinburgh since 1990, 29 years as a partner and now as a locum.
Alan Beal
Member of the EIJB
Alan was elected as a LibDem Councillor to Edinburgh City Council in May 2022, and, as well as the EIJB sits on the Policy & Sustainability Committee and is Vice Convener of the LVJB. He is on the Management Committee of the Corstorphine Community Centre and the Board of CEC Holdings.
He has worked in the energy efficiency sector for over 30 years, which included working for Fuel Poverty charities and work as a Data Manager and software designer. He was Vice Convener of the Right to Warmth Campaign. In a voluntary capacity, he has worked with the homeless and those on Edinburgh’s streets since 1999, so he appreciates the demand and the great health needs of those who find themselves there. Despite taking successful, initial steps on a medical career he did not to pursue it, instead working in energy modelling and consultancy. He is a qualified systems analyst and, as well as a Physics degree, has Masters degrees in Environmental Management and Building Services Engineering.
Hannah Cairns
Professional Advisor to the EIJB / Chief Allied Health Professional
Biography coming soon
Dr Andrew Coull
Professional Advisor to the EIJB / Registered medical practitioner not providing primary medical services
Biography coming soon.
Christine Laverty
Chief Officer – Edinburgh Integration Joint Board
Biography coming soon
Janine McGowan
Professional Advisor to the EIJB/Interim Chief Social Worker
Janine has over 20 years experience working in children’s social work and in areas of children’s practice teams, youth justice and throughcare and aftercare.
Janine moved from Aberdeenshire in 2004 to join City of Edinburgh Council. Between 2017 and 2020 she was seconded to the Scottish Government as a professional advisor in youth justice. Janine has worked in partnership with colleagues at a local and national level to support development of practice, guidance and legislation. She has been involved in influencing national agendas to improve practice for those at risk. Between 2020 and 2024 she chaired the national Divert workstream as part of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce. Janine’s substantive post is Head of Service for Children’s Practice Teams, she is currently the interim Service Director for Performance, Quality and Improvement and Chief Social Work Officer.
Matt Kennedy
Professional Advisor to the EIJB / Deputy Social Work Officer
Patricia Cantley
Member of the EIJB
Dr Patricia Cantley has worked as a doctor since 1988, at consultant level as a Geriatrician since 1997 in hospitals across Lothian and more recently in NHS Borders from 2022 to 2024. Now in a non clinical role, she continues on the wards, but as a volunteer musician, playing Clarsach to patients in a rehabilitation setting.
Her special interests professionally include developing Hospital at Home services and alternatives to admission for frail older patients and addressing inequalities in access to care wherever possible.
Patricia has written and taught on the provision of high quality end of life care for people regardless of setting, and served on the Board of Governors for St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh from 2012-2020.
Patricia previously chaired the Scottish Branch of the British Geriatrics Society and is a current member of the Council at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh, giving the opportunity to see issues at national as well as local level.
With a range of experiences as a patient, relative and staff member, Patricia hopes to bring a practical and recent clinical perspective to the Integration Joint Board, with a positive attitude, energy and enthusiasm for improvement.
Jill Irwin
Professional Advisor to the EIJB / Chief Nurse
EHSCP’s Chief Nurse and Head of Quality, Jill Irwin, is a highly experienced nursing leader with more than 29 years in senior clinical and strategic roles. She provides expert professional leadership across nursing services, shaping strategic direction, driving quality improvement, and championing high-quality, person-centred care. With a strong commitment to preventative and proactive care, Jill has a proven track record of leading complex services, delivering transformational change, and improving outcomes for patients, service users, and communities.
Alys Mumford
Member of the EIJB
Alys is the Scottish Green Party representative on the EIJB. She is the Co-Convener of the Edinburgh Green Councillor Group, and holds the Equalities and Health and Social Care portfolios.
Before being elected in 2022, Alys worked for a women’s equality charity campaigning on issues such as unpaid care, reproductive rights and access to social security. Alys uses she/her pronouns.
Heather Campbell
Member of the EIJB
Heather Campbell brings over 35 years experience in the NHS and Civil Service. She is passionate about continuous quality improvement, public service reform and is committed to engaging with people, working strategically and collaboratively with partners to design and deliver high quality public services.
Heather spent the last 8 years within Scottish Government, leading a portfolio of complex whole system change programmes. Before joining Scottish Government, Heather held several senior leadership roles within the NHS.
Gary Staerck
Carer Representative – EIJB
Gary is a former theatre worker (artistic rather than clinical) and now full time carer of four family members with varying needs.
When not supporting or advocating for his family, he is advocating for carers and parents of children with additional support needs across Edinburgh.
In addition to the EIJB, Gary is a board member of the charity Tailor Ed, along with being a steering group member and founder of the REPAIR (Edinburgh) Network. Gary has also self-published two books of poetry and short works based on life experience.