Published on: 11 April 2018
We are calling on people living in three areas of Derbyshire to help strengthen the NHS – by standing in the Trust’s upcoming governor elections and serving as the voice of their community on health-related issues.
We are seeking nominations for our Amber Valley, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire and High Peak and Derbyshire Dales constituencies by 19 April 2018, with elections taking place in May 2018.
The successful candidates in these key voluntary roles will join the Trust’s Council of Governors. They will be responsible for holding the Trust’s Non-Executive Directors publicly accountable and will help to shape the activities of the Trust, including being involved in decisions on how the Trust will work with other organisations to deliver the recently published Joined Up Care Derbyshire plan.
The three constituencies
Amber Valley's governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of Alfreton, Belper Central, Belper East, Belper North, Belper South, Codnor and Waingrove, Crich, Duffield, Heage and Ambergate, Heanor and Loscoe, Heanor West, Ironville and Riddings, Kilburn, Langley Mill and Aldercar, Ripley and Marehay, Shipley Park, Somercotes, South West Parishes, Swanwick, Wingfield.
Bolsover and North East Derbyshire's governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Bolsover District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council.
High Peak and Derbyshire Dales's governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Derbyshire Dales District Council, High Peak Borough Council.
Learn more
If you are interested in standing, a form can be obtained as follows:
Email: ciara.norris@electoralreform.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8889 9203
Text: Text DH followed by your name and address to 88802
Online: www.ersvotes.com/derbyshirehealth2018
For more information about becoming a governor, please contact the Communications & Involvement Office by calling 01332 623723 or emailing dhcft.membership@nhs.net
Why we have governors
After gaining Foundation Trust status in 2011, Derbyshire Healthcare made a commitment to represent its communities as effectively as possible and promote public awareness of health issues. Having Trust members – represented by elected governors – is a key way for Derbyshire Healthcare to involve local people in the organisation’s work and ensure that it provides the best possible care and treatment for the people it serves.
The organisation’s Council of Governors is made up of 16 members of the public, six staff representatives and seven representatives from partner organisations. Governors are elected by the Foundation Trust’s members and oversee the Trust’s Board, who are responsible for running the NHS services that the Trust is commissioned to provide to the residents of Derby and Derbyshire.
"Proactive and effective"
John Morrissey is the Lead Governor for Derbyshire Healthcare and current governor for Amber Valley. He said: “It’s fair to say that I had very little idea about what was involved when I was first elected, but I have been surprised and pleased at the amount of contact that the role has provided with so many dedicated professional people. I have learned much more than I could have anticipated, both from these contacts and from the opportunities for training within and outside the Trust – a real education.
"During my time on the Council, the role of governors, individually and as a body, has really developed. We have given ourselves the opportunity to make each governor better informed and the Council as a whole to be proactive, effective and to develop a sense of purpose. This has made being a governor more enjoyable and fulfilling.”
"Very rewarding"
Speaking about the role of governor, Lynda Langley, Public Governor, says:
“Since becoming a governor I have learnt a lot about how the Trust operates, its needs and aspirations. During my time in the role there have been many changes and we are now in a position to take the Trust forward, positively, in the ever evolving NHS.”
