The Trust which runs Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital, is encouraging people to lend their voice as a public Governor to help shape the way the Trust delivers services. There are six seats up for grabs in the Doncaster area, three on offer in Bassetlaw and a further two posts for the Rest of England and Wales.
Suzy Brain England OBE, Trust Chair at DBTH, said: “We are looking for people to join us on our Council to be the voice of the community we serve as we navigate future challenges and make important decisions in the post-covid landscape of healthcare. Public governors play a vital role in representing the people we provide care for and you could make a real difference in shaping what our services look like and ensuring they are designed to meet the needs of our people over the next three years.”
“This round of elections is particularly exciting as we have two seats available for governors outside of our locality which gives people in the rest of England and Wales the opportunity to shape our services. You might be interested in nominating yourself for one of these seats if you have family local to Doncaster and Bassetlaw, you work in the area or if you have a general interest in improving healthcare nationally.”
Anyone interested in becoming a governor is asked to submit their nomination before 5pm on Thursday 3 August.
Public Governors are required to attend four meetings a year (which are now held virtually) but their role is much more than those commitments. Suzy continued: “Public Governors get involved in all manner of activities, offering crucial input and giving voice to the public in discussions about their local hospitals. They hold the Board of Directors to account and ask the questions they know the community would ask.
“The role is a very rewarding one and it is an opportunity to contribute towards improving the services we offer patients. If you want to apply your skills and dedicate a small portion of your time to an active role in your hospital, please consider standing as a governor and give a voice to local people.”
You do not need any special qualifications to become a governor, just enthusiasm and a desire to help improve patient care, and anyone who is a registered member of the Trust can put themselves forward for the role. The Trust is also keen to increase the diversity of the Council of Governors to better mirror the users of the hospital services and welcome applications from people living with disabilities, from any race or religious background and young adults over the age of 16 who might have an interest in careers in healthcare.
The Trust will provide all necessary training, advice and support for those elected as governors. Governors who are elected will be in post for a period of three years and will be eligible to stand for re-election at the end of that period (for a maximum of nine years).
If you are interested in being a Governor and want to submit your nomination today, please go to cesvotes.com/DBFT2023
You need to be aged 16 or over and a member of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to stand for election but if you are not already a member you can join for free online at http://www.dbth.nhs.uk