Do you want to represent patients, staff and your community? Are you interested in healthcare? Elections are underway to find 14 new governors at Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust (LSCft).
The roles – which consist of nine public governors and five staff governors – are open to those aged 16 or above and applicants must be a member of the Trust, with membership currently standing at over 13,000 people. They do not need to be from a healthcare background.
Governors sit on a dedicated council and are considered the eyes and ears of the public, patients and staff. They are essential to help the Trust understand and respond to what patients and local residents expect from LSCft.
Applications are welcome from people of all backgrounds and experiences to ensure that the voice of LSCft’s Council of Governors – made up of 23 elected representatives and four nominated by partners - is reflective of our diverse workforce and communities across all of Lancashire and South Cumbria.
What is involved in the governor role?
- Representing the views of staff, patients and the public, particularly in relation to the Trust’s strategic direction and when services are being developed.
- To hold the Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board of Directors.
- Review annually the extent to which the Trust is meeting its objective of delivering high-quality services.
- Work with the Board of Directors on other matters for the benefit of the Trust.
Current Lead Governor, David Hargreaves, currently works at BAE Systems in engineering management. He said:
“As a governor, I get to be involved in engagement visits to sites, wards and hospitals to see first-hand the challenges and achievements of hard working teams and understand any issues they may be facing.
Governors play a key role in oversight of the Trust - there is a programme of regular meetings and a number of committees which allow us to contribute and provide assurance that the Trust is operating in the best interests of both its members and the public.
Being a governor has helped me to get an idea of how a business works and has helped me take things back to my day-to-day role. It has been a great experience.”
Representatives are being sought for the following areas:
- Central Lancashire – two seats
- East Lancashire – three seats
- North Lancashire – two seat
- South Cumbria – one seat
- Out of area – one seat
- Staff constituency – Admin and Clerical – one seat
- Staff constituency – Medical – one seat
- Staff constituency – Network and Corporate – one seat
- Staff constituency - Nursing Professionals and Support Staff – one seat
- Staff constituency – Other Clinical – one seat
Governors are elected for a three-year period, with the opportunity to stand for re-election for a second and final three-year term.
The deadline for people to nominate themselves is midnight on Monday, 6 November 2023.
You can find out more about being a governor or a member online or by emailing company.secretary@lscft.nhs.uk
