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Last few days to put yourself forward to represent your community as part of the Council of Governors

15 October 2015

Staff, members of the public and patients are encouraged to put themselves forward for election to the Trust’s Council of Governors in the biggest election ever carried out by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Staff, members of the public and patients are encouraged to put themselves forward for election to the Trust’s Council of Governors in the biggest election ever carried out by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This is a unique opportunity to help your hospital trust bring about real benefits for patients by improving healthcare in your local community.

Being part of the Council of Governors is a statutory role, meaning you will help to decide senior appointments to the trust board and have a crucial part to play in determining the future of the organisation and what it needs to do in order to go beyond for our patients.

As well as holding the trust to account, individual governors act as ambassadors for the organisation. They explain the work we do and the achievements we make.

They are also responsible for engaging with members— people who sign up to hear more our trust—and to encourage participation in activities such as our Annual Members Meeting, hospital open days, educational events and ‘Meet a Governor’ sessions.

The great thing about being a governor is that not only do you bring your own expertise and experience to the role, but the trust also provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills.

You do not need specific qualifications—just enthusiasm and the willingness to be involved in improving health services. That said, the description of a foundation trust governor is to be a ‘critical friend’—which means if you have the confidence to ask questions and to communicate with people across the organisation then you are just who we need!

To nominate yourself for election you need to be a registered member of the Foundation Trust.

You can either register via our website or pick up a form at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital or West Middlesex University Hospital.

The election is on Friday 27 November, so if you want to stand you’ll need to register by 5pm on Tuesday 20 October. For more information, email vida.djelic1@nhs.net or call 020 3315 6716.

Contributors
cpooley George Vasilopoulos