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

17 July 2023

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs local hospitals in the area, is looking to recruit new governors to help influence the future of its health services.

A number of opportunities have arisen to become the ‘voice’ of local people in the City of York, Ryedale and East Yorkshire, and an Out of Area representative.

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

Mark, Interim Chair of the Trust, explained, “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 Council of Governors consists of 16 public governors and six staff governors, all of whom have 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.

Rukmal Abeysekera, Lead Governor at the Trust, added, “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.  One of a governors’ main responsibilities is to help communicate with the membership and public, and make sure the views of the membership and public are fed back to the Board.  We also act as ambassadors and champions, helping to promote the work of the Trust in our communities.

“Anyone can stand for election - all you need is a passion for the NHS, 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 aged over 16 years old, live within the constituencies of the City of York, Ryedale and East Yorkshire or Out of Area, and you are a member of the Trust, you are eligible to apply for one of the vacant posts.  If you are not already a member of the Trust, you can join for free at www.york.nhs.uk/membership.

New governors are appointed by election, and anyone interested can apply from Thursday 13 July 2023.  An information pack and nomination form can be obtained from James Mackins, the Returning Officer, by calling 020 8889 9203 or emailing ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com.

Nominations close 5pm on Thursday 10 August 2023.

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 Monday 4 September 2023.  Members can only vote for governors who represent their constituency.  The results of the elections will be available from Thursday 28 September 2023.

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 visit our website www.york.nhs.uk/about-us/council-of-governors/governor-elections/ or email yhs-tr.governors@nhs.net.