Media Release
Date: 9 September 2025
Could you be an RUH governor?
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is looking for six public governors and two staff governors to help shape its services and plans for the future – and nominations are now open. There are public governor vacancies across the City of Bath, North East Somerset, Mendip, North Wiltshire and South Wiltshire 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 two 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.
“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 are now open and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 23 September.
You can complete a nomination form on our election website here: www.cesvotes.com/RUH2025.
For a printed nomination form please call 0208 889 9203 or email ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com
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://ruh.nhs.uk/membership/
Contact the Membership Office on 01225 821262 or via email at RUHmembership@nhs.net to request a Governor Guide and to find out more about the role.
There’s also lots more information and support on the RUH website.
ENDS
