Do you want to have more of a say in helping to shape local healthcare services in your area? If so, a role as a Public Governor with your local NHS Foundation Trust could be just the opportunity you’re looking for.
Isle of Wight Community, Mental Health and Learning Disability Services transferred to Southern Health on 1st May 2024 in preparation for the creation of the new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust later this year.
What we do
Southern Health provides mental health, learning disability, children’s, and community services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – and now has two vacancies for Public Governors on the Isle of Wight.
Governors become members of the Council of Governors and provide a vital link between the public and the Trust. They help communicate the ideas, feedback, and concerns of local people. Their role is to raise concerns and ask questions on behalf of people living in the constituencies they represent, to support our patients, their families, and carers, and help shape the way the Trust provides healthcare services.
Hunt: The voice of the public and our patients
Lynne Hunt, Chair of Southern Health, explained,
“Our Public Governors play such a vital role. They not only help us make strategic decisions about our services but, most importantly, they are the voice of the public and our patients.
“So, if you have a passion for healthcare and want to make a sizeable difference, I encourage you to become a Public Governor.”
What it involves
Being a Governor is a rewarding role that enables you to be at the heart of the NHS in your community.
Governors have played a strong role in Trust developments in recent years – sitting on interview panels for new Board members, being involved in work that directly affects frontline services and attending public events to share the work of the Trust.
Thorne: A critical friend to the Trust
Adrian Thorne, Southern Health’s Lead Governor, added,
“Governors play a key role in making sure our patients’ and carers’ voices are heard, and they are a critical friend to the Trust.
“To be most effective, we need individuals with all sorts of backgrounds, interests, and skills to join the Council of Governors and fully represent our communities across Hampshire.”
Nominations for the Governor elections are now open and will close on Friday 12 July at 5pm. You can apply via the website.
Find out more
Anyone wishing to stand for election or nominate a prospective Governor must be a Member of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. You can become a member here.
Members of Southern Health will automatically become members of the new Trust – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare when it is created.
For more information, visit our website here.
To view our current Governors, visit here.
News shared by Southern Health NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
