People in and around Norfolk are being urged to step forward and take the opportunity to represent the NHS patients and members of public in their area. The call comes as Norfolk’s largest community-based NHS services provider looks to appoint its very first Governors.
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) is today (August 15 2013) launching its first ever Governors Elections, which will see 14 Public Governors from across our county appointed as the representatives of local people.
A further four Governors will be elected from the Trust’s staff, and six nominated as representatives of some of the Trust’s key partners. Together, the 24 Governors will form a Council of Governors and are expected to be in place by the end of October.
The elected Public Governors will be responsible for representing the views of people living in their constituency (more below), putting forward their views around key issues, consulting them on Trust service developments.
The Council will also play a role in further improving the quality of care and sustainability of services for local patients by informing the Trust’s Board on key strategies and the development of services. It will hold a key governance role, as it will be responsible for holding the Board of Directors to account and ensuring the Trust continues to bring the greatest benefits to local patients.
Ken Applegate, NCH&C’s Chair, said: “The time has come for local people to step forward to become the voice of their community. As representatives of local people, our Governors will hold a key role in helping to ensure our patients and members of the public are able to play a role in shaping the future of the NHS locally.
“The NHS touches all of our lives at one point or another, and in Norfolk that’s often one of our services. It is therefore important that we continue to develop services to ensure people can access the care they need, whenever and wherever they need them. Our Governors will help to strengthen our existing dialogue with patients which will make a big difference to local people.”
Key dates and election process
People who are interested in standing for election are also being urged to ensure they submit their nomination form before thedeadline of September 13. People can access the form by calling Electoral Reform Services (ERS), the independent organisation managing the elections, on 020 8889 9203.
The Trust’s Membership – which is more than 13,000 people strong and consists of local patients, members of the public, and NCH&C staff – will then be invited to vote for the prospective Governor that they would like to see elected as the representative of their constituency. Voting will take place between October 7-30.
Candidates with the most votes in each constituency will be elected to the Council of Governors. This will be confirmed on October 31.
Public Constituencies
Public Governors will be responsible for representing their local constituency, which is based on their home address. The constituencies are:
- Breckland – two Governors to be elected
- Broadland – two Governors to be elected
- Norwich – two Governors to be elected
- North Norfolk – two Governors to be elected
- South Norfolk – two Governors to be elected
- King’s Lynn & West Norfolk – two Governors to be elected
- Gt Yarmouth – one Governor to be elected
- Outside Norfolk – one Governor to be elected
The launch of the elections comes after NCH&C’s application to become a Foundation Trust (FT) was approved to move forward by the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) in July. The TDA scrutinises all FT applications.
The TDA’s decision means that NCH&C’s FT application can now move on to the final stage of the process, an assessment by national FT regulator, Monitor. When approved as a Foundation Trust, NCH&C would firmly remain part of the NHS, but would have greater autonomy to develop services based on the needs of local people.
For more information and to put yourself forward for election, call Electoral Reform Services (ERS) on 020 8889 9203.
Information also available at:
www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/Get-involved/our-governors.htm
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