Governors provide an important link between the hospital and the local health community, enabling us to gather views from local people and to feedback what is happening within the Trust. They reflect your interests and are working on your behalf to improve health services for the future. By passing on ideas and suggestions you can help them carry out their role effectively. Governors do not have any administrative powers in the hospital, but they have Statutory responsibilities, which are set out in the National Health Act 2006. Governors are also expected to follow the requirements of the Code of Governance published by Monitor, the Independent Regulator for Foundation Trusts.
The full Council of Governors comprises two groups. The first group is elected by members from their own area. These are called constituencies. The second group areÌý appointed by key organisations that work closely with the Trust. The elected Governors are in the majority. Currently the Council of Governors has 27 Governors. There are 15 elected Public Governors from seven constituencies, which make up the Trust's catchment area, and six Staff governors. There are five nominated Governors representing various stakeholders.
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The Council of Governors monitors the performance of the Trust, and the Trust Board is accountable to the Council of Governors. In addition, Governors have a wider role which includes ensuring that the local community and staff have a greater say in how services are developed and delivered by the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥.
Governors have two roles - statutory duties that they have to carry out and non-statutory duties that are carried out in agreement between the Trust and the Governors, in accordance with the National Health Act 2006.
The statutory duties include:
The non-statutory duties which have been developed so far:
While welcoming ideas, suggestions and general comments, it is not the job of Governors to deal with individual personal complaints about the hospital, or the care and treatment received. In the first instance verbal advice can be sought from the Customer Care Department. Any formal complaint should be made in writing to the Chief Executive, not to Customer Care or a Governor. They should draw to the Trust Board's attention any discernible trend that is causing concern.
Please note that Staff Governors are elected by staff members so that their particular views and comments can be used to shape the development of hospital services, enhance patient care or the working lives of staff. It is not their role to deal with any personal issues staff may be involved with. For example disciplinary procedures or changes to their contract. They are not in a position to deal with situations normally dealt with through personnel, staff-side organisation or trade unions.
Staff Governor Role:
Our staff at °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.