Members of the public in North Yorkshire and beyond are being asked to help shape the future of their local NHS by becoming a Governor.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is holding an election to the Council of Governors with vacancies for Governors to represent the interests of the people residing in Ripon and west district and The Rest of England which is a new constituency for the Trust.
The Rest of England comprises everywhere outside of North Yorkshire and parts of north Leeds (which are covered by other existing constituencies). Since 1 April 2016, HDFT has provided children’s services in Middlesbrough, County Durham and Darlington and increasingly have people using many of our services from outside of North Yorkshire and North Leeds.
Sandra Dodson, HDFT Chairman and Chair of the Council of Governors, said: “Our Governors are an integral part of the Trust and ensure that we are accountable to the total community we serve. The Council of Governors have key responsibilities such as the appointment of the Non-Executive Directors on the Board of Directors, the appointment of the Trust’s external auditor and development of an active membership. There are opportunities to work on specific projects and to represent the Trust locally, regionally and nationally.
“At the Trust, we are extremely lucky to have an active and engaged Council of Governors who lead the way on initiatives like our award winning Education Liaison programme. Now we are looking for people to join our Council of Governors and help to shape the Trust as we move forward delivering a wide range of services both within the hospital and the community local to where you live.”
In order to stand or vote in the elections, you have to be a member of the Foundation Trust. It is free to join and an application form is available on the Trust’s website at www.hdft.nhs.uk or available from the Foundation Trust Office on 01423 554489 or [email protected]
If you are interested in finding out more about being a Governor and would like to register your interest, please contact the Foundation Trust Office on 01423 554489 or via email to Angie Colvin, Corporate Affairs and Membership Manager at [email protected] You can also find helpful information and details on how to stand for election on our website by using the following link: https://www.hdft.nhs.uk/about/council-of-governors/governor-elections/
Nominations open on Wednesday 18 May 2016 and the deadline for election nominations is Thursday 16 June 2016.
Members are welcome to attend the following Information Session for Prospective Governors:
- Monday 6 June at 5.30-6.30pm in the Leon Smallwood Unit, Ripon Community Hospital, Firby Lane, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2PR.
Members will have the opportunity to meet with the Chairman and current Governors and learn more about the role of a Governor and the election process at the information session.
If you are unable to attend the session, please contact Angie Colvin, Corporate Affairs and Membership Manager on 01423 554489 or via email at [email protected].
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Widdowfield, Communications and Marketing Manager, [email protected] and 01423 557470.