New Governors to help continue improvements for service users and carers
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) will welcome six new Governors who will support the organisation’s ongoing improvement work across its services.
The Trust’s 32-seat Council of Governors represent the views of patients, public, staff and partners and help shape the future of the specialist mental health and learning disability services provided by the organisation. They hold NSFT’s Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board, and act as a key link between the Trust and the communities it serves.
Nine seats were up for election this time round, and the results have been declared. The votes were counted by Civica Election Services, an independent organisation which runs the election process.
The successful candidates are:
- Public Governors (Norfolk): Stephen Benns and Rebecca Julian
- Public Governor (Suffolk): Sheila Preston
- Staff Governors: Nicki Bramford, Richard Wink and Melinda Bird
Carer Governor seats (one each in Norfolk and Suffolk) were also up for election but no valid nominations were received, and only one was received for the two Public Governor (Suffolk) seats which were up for election.
Zoë Billingham, NSFT’s Chair, said: “I look forward to welcoming and working with our newly elected governors as we continue our work to deliver safe, excellent care for all those who need us across Norfolk and Suffolk.”
Howard Tidman, Lead Governor, said: “Congratulations to all those who have been elected. Governors play a valuable and respected role at our Trust. They contribute to the strategic debate and the overall direction of the Trust on behalf of staff, members, service users, carers, and the communities we serve.”
The Council comprises 23 Governors elected by Trust Members (including four elected by staff), eight appointed by partner organisations plus the Trust Chair. Elections take place every year for those governors who have come to the end of their term, or who have stopped being a governor during the previous year. They are usually elected for three-year terms.
Only members of NSFT can be governors and vote in governor elections. To find out about becoming a member, please visit: nsft.uk/membership
To see the official election documents, please click or search for: nsft.uk/elections