The search is on for new governors for the local NHS Trust

YORK and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to recruit new governors to help influence the future of its health services.

A great opportunity has arisen to become the ‘voice’ of local people in the City of York, Ryedale and East Yorkshire, the East Coast of Yorkshire. For the first time this year the Trust is also looking for an Out of Area representative.

The Council of Governors meets four times a year in public and is chaired by the Chair of the Trust, Susan Symington. Responsibilities include providing support and advice to ensure that the Trust delivers services that best meet the needs of patients and the communities and provides high quality, effective and patient-focused services.

Susan Symington, Chair, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Governors have two very important roles - the first to provide an important link between the Trust and the community, helping the Trust to gather views from local people and feeding back to them what is happening, and the second is to appoint the Non-Executive Directors to the board and to maintain an overview of their contribution to the effective leadership of the Trust.

“The position requires some time and commitment, a passion for the NHS and the key issues facing our Trust.”

The Council of Governors consists of 16 public governors and five staff governors, who have all been elected by the membership of their constituencies. It also includes nominated representatives from North Yorkshire County Council, University of York and other partnership organisations including the third sector.

Margaret Jackson, Lead Governor at the Trust, said: “The role of the governor, which is voluntary, is an opportunity to give patients and carers a voice to inform providers in service planning and review. Governors have a role to play in promoting effective dialogue between the Trust and the local communities we serve.”

If you are aged over 16 years old, live within the constituencies of the City of York, Ryedale and East Yorkshire, the East Coast of Yorkshire, or Out of Area are a member of the Trust, you are eligible to apply for one of the eight vacant posts. If you would like to influence and contribute to your local health services, the Trust would be keen to hear from you.

New governors are appointed by election and anyone interested can apply from Monday 12 July 2021. A nomination form can be obtained from the Returning Officer, Ciara Hutchinson, by calling 0208 365 8909 or emailing ciara.hutchinson@civica.co.uk

Nominations close 5pm on Monday 9 August 2021.

Anyone can stand for election - all you need is a real interest in the Trust and a little spare time to help influence the continued development of our important local services. If you are not already a member of the Trust you can join for free at www.york.nhs.uk/membership or call 01904 721925 to request a membership form.

The elections, which are run by the Civica Election Services, will be a secret postal ballot and voting packs will be sent out to members on Wednesday 1 September. Members can only vote for governors who represent their constituency.

Governors are appointed for a three year term but, subject to reappointment at the end of each term, can serve a maximum of nine years.

For more information about becoming a member or governor please contact Tracy Astley by emailing: tracy.astley@york.nhs.uk

30 June 2021