Media Release
Date: 30 June 2023
Could you be an RUH governor?
The Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust is looking for five public governors and three staff governors to help shape its services and plans for the future – and nominations are now open.
There are public governor vacancies across the North East Somerset, Mendip, South Wiltshire, North Wiltshire and the Rest of England and Wales constituencies, where current governors have come to the end of their terms.
A public governor helps to ensure that the Trust delivers services that meet the needs of patients, carers, staff and local stakeholders. Governors do this by creating stronger links with the communities that the RUH serves by reflecting patient and public views and interests.
The core time commitment for public governors is four Council of Governor meetings per year, plus the Annual Members’ Meeting but there are many other activities you are encouraged to get involved in to get more out of the role. Governors receive full training for their role as well as ongoing support from the RUH Membership Office.
The RUH is also looking to recruit three staff governors to act as the voice of their colleagues, ensuring staff views are heard at every level of the Trust and sharing the views of staff with the Council of Governors and Board of Directors. Staff governors have a key say in the decisions that affect working life at the hospital and help to make the services the Trust provides the very best they can be.
This is an exciting time to join our Council of Governors - the Trust recently launched its new vision and goals for the RUH, which will help shape our future, and later this year will be launching a new Trust strategy setting out the ambitions and direction of the RUH.
Outgoing Lead and Public Governor Peter McCowen said: “Like many people, I and my family owe a great deal to the NHS and becoming a governor was a way for me to express my gratitude and give something back.
“Governors represent the views of their communities and keep them updated on what is happening at the hospital. They also help to appoint non-executive directors and hold them to account for the performance of the Board of Directors.
“You do not need any specific knowledge or skills to become a governor but it does help if you have experienced how other organisations are run. You will quickly discover how complex it is to run an acute hospital and will develop a comradeship with your fellow governors.”
Senior Independent Director Nigel Stevens said: “Our public and staff governors play an invaluable role at the RUH, helping the hospital's Board to stay focused on the things that really matter.
“These really are important roles that make a significant difference to the people we care for, the people we work with and the people in our community.
“So if you would like to play a central role in the shaping the direction of the RUH, please do put yourself forward for nomination, or get in touch to find out more about the roles.”
Nominations for both public governors and staff governors open today, Friday 30 June, and will close at 5pm on Friday 28 July.
You need to be a member of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust to be eligible to stand as a public governor. No formal qualifications are required, just enthusiasm, a willingness to ask questions, be open to ideas, and a desire to make a difference by getting involved in your local hospital. To become a member, join here https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/membership/
Contact the Membership Office on 01225 821262 / 826288 or via email at RUHmembership@nhs.net to request a Governor Guide and to arrange an informal discussion to find out more about the role.
For more information on how to nominate yourself, and to complete a nomination form, please visit:www.cesvotes.com/ruh23
For a printed nomination form please call 0208 889 9203 or email ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com
ENDS