Dr Donald Macaskill has worked for many years in the health and social care sectors across the United Kingdom. A particular professional focus has been issues related to bereavement, palliative care and individual human rights. For thirteen years he ran his own equality and human rights consultancy focusing on adult protection, risk and personalisation.

He is the CEO of Scottish Care, the representative body for care providers in the independent sector in Scotland. He sits on a number of Governmental committees and working groups and is a trustee of a number of charities.