Prospective Governor Information

Transcription

1 Prospective Governor Information Introduction Thank you for your interest in becoming a Governor of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. Our Governors are guardians of the Trust who make a unique contribution to our future development and success. Governors area vital link between the Trust and its members, staff, stakeholders and wider public, ensuring that the voices of those they represent are heard at the highest level in the Trust. Governor inform the development of the future strategy and direction of the Trust as well as monitoring its performance in achieving its aims and targets. This document provides you with information about the Trust, the role of a Governor, the election process and the support that Governors can expect from the Trust. We also consider it important for you to have an understanding of the time commitment required and the level of responsibility which comes with this role. The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) provides a range of emergency and urgent care services to the people of the South West of England. We work in a way that upholds the values and pledges of the NHS Constitution and are proud to embrace innovation and actively promote best practice. SWASFT was the first ambulance service to be authorised as an NHS Foundation Trust on 1 March Since acquiring our former neighbouring trust Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) in February 2013, our operating area now covers a fifth of England. Our geographical area encompasses Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the former Avon area (Bristol, Bath, North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire). We serve a total population of over 5.3 million and an estimated influx of over 17.5 million visitors each year. We operate from over 100 sites, including 96 ambulance stations, six air bases and three emergency clinical hubs. We also have clinicians based in the heart of communities at treatment centres and minor injury units (MIU). Page 1 of 7

2 During 2015/16, the Trust received a total number of 911,378 emergency and urgent incidents. This was an increase of 5.06% in the total number of incidents when compared with 867,505 during 2014/15. Our mission statement is: To respond to patients emergency and urgent care needs quickly and safely to save lives, reduce anxiety, pain and suffering. Our vision is: To be an organisation that is committed to delivering high quality services to patients and continue to develop ways of working to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place at the right time. NHS Foundation Trusts and what makes them different NHS Foundation Trusts are public benefit corporations, different from other NHS Trusts in that they are: able to use their finances to improve services according to local rather than national priorities; able to restructure and modernize more easily to improve capacity and efficiency; not subject to directions from the Secretary of State for Health or performance managed by the Department of Health. One of the key features of being an NHS Foundation Trust is that the organisation is accountable to local people. The Trust is able to work with a membership and Council of Governors to ensure that the services it provides are responsive to the needs and wishes of its local communities. People who are served by, or work for the Trust can become a member. These members in turn elect the Trust s Governors who together constitute the Council of Governors. This gives local people a real stake in the future of their ambulance service. Trust Membership Being a member of the Trust empowers local people by informing them of the work and aspirations of the service (as well as wider health issues), enabling them to make informed decisions which provides the Trust with a highly effective resource. The Trust membership is divided into a public constituency and a staff constituency. To be eligible for public membership a person must reside within the South West region, be aged 16 years or over and not be eligible for staff membership. Page 2 of 7

3 The Council of Governors The Council of Governors comprises elected public and staff governors, together with appointees from local key stakeholder groups, such as Commissioners, other emergency services and local authorities. The Council represents the interests of local communities in the development and stewardship of the Trust. It is responsible for: holding the Board of Directors to account for the performance of the Trust; developing Trust membership, representing the interests of members and the wider public; appointing and, if appropriate, removing the Chairman and the other Non-Executive Directors (also approving their remuneration and allowance); approving the appointment of the Chief Executive; appointing or removing the Trust auditor and being presented with the annual accounts and report; ensuring the views of the Trust Membership are heard for the purpose of forward planning and strategic development approving any application by the Trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution. The Council of Governors does not undertake the operational management of the Trust. It provides a vital link to the wider community to inform the future direction of the Trust and holds the Board of Directors to account for the Trust s performance. In this way Governors have a real say in the current performance and future development of the Trust. Structure of the Council of Governors The Council comprises 33 Governors 19 Public Governors, 6 Staff Governors and 9 Appointed Governors. The Role of a Governor The role and responsibilities of an NHS Foundation Trust Governor are set out in the NHS Act 2006, the Health & Social Care Act 2012 and various guidance documents published by Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts. The main objectives for a Trust Governor are to: inform the development of the future strategy and direction of the Trust; act as a guardian of the Trust on behalf of the local community by holding the Trust Board to account for the Trust s performance; and to be the link between the Trust and its membership, staff and stakeholders ensuring that their views are fed through to the Board of Directors. Page 3 of 7

4 Specific duties include: providing views to the Board on the strategic direction of the Trust and monitoring its performance in achieving its strategic aims and targets; developing and recruiting a representative membership; providing Members information about the Trust s performance and its Forward Plan; advising the Board of the wishes of Members and the wider community, when Directors have to make challenging or difficult decisions. Who can become a Governor? To become a Public Governor a candidate must be a member of the constituency they want to represent (ie live in that area). To become a Staff Governor a candidate must be eligible for staff membership and belong to the staff class that they want to represent. There are some members who will not be eligible to become a Governor. Full details of the eligibility criteria are available upon request, but include those who are: a Director of the Trust, or a Governor, Director, or Chief Executive of another Health Service Body; an immediate family member of a Governor or Director of the Trust; a member of a local authority Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee; or disqualified under the Company Directors Disqualification Act Or have been: a Director of the Trust in the preceding three years; sentenced for three months or more within the preceding five years; dismissed from any paid employment with a Health Service Body within the preceding two years; or expelled as a Governor of another NHS Foundation Trust. Skills and experience required to be a Governor The role of an NHS Foundation Trust Governor is a responsible position. Whilst there are no formal qualifications needed, a number of personal attributes are required, including: a strong interest in healthcare issues and a commitment to NHS values and principles (although an NHS background is not essential); an ability to understand and interpret information and think strategically; some experience of committees or large meetings; well-developed interpersonal and communication skills; Page 4 of 7

5 sound, independent judgement, common sense, integrity and diplomacy; and the ability to understand and reflect the views of Trust members, rather than providing a personal perspective. Time commitment The Council of Governors meets on a formal basis an average of four times a year. Meetings are held around the region and run for most of the day. In addition, time will be required to read and understand the papers in advance. In addition, two development workshops are held each year. Again, these run for the majority of the day and Governors will be required to prepare to ensure the optimum learning for all involved. Overall, Governors should expect to prepare for and attend 6 meetings per year, together with a number of public engagement events. Governors also need to take the time to engage with Trust Members and the wider public. How Governors are supported in their role Governors have a wide ranging and responsible role, and their performance is monitored and supported by the Trust. Accordingly, the Trust has in place a Governor support structure, which includes: Induction Programme To provide Governors with the opportunity to: meet the Board of Directors and other Trust officers; receive key documents about the Trust, the NHS and the Governor role; and spend time with operational staff to learn about the Trust s services first hand. Development Workshops Governors will need time to develop skills and an understanding of their role and so are required to attend Development Workshops which are hosted by the twice a year. External Development Opportunities The Trust is a member of NHS Providers which enables Governors to access independent information about their role, as well as networking and conference opportunities. The Trust is also a member of the South West Governor Exchange Network. Trust Officers Page 5 of 7

6 A range of Trust Officers provide support to the Council of Governors, including administrative support for meetings; constitutional and governance guidance; Trust Membership and public engagement support. Expenses Governors do not receive a salary, however, the Trust does reimburse expenses incurred on authorised business such as mileage and accommodation. Elections to the Council of Governors 2017 Elections, which are held by way of a postal vote, comply with the election rules contained within the Trust s Constitution and are independently administered by Electoral Reform Services. To stand for election, a Trust member must complete a nomination form (available from ERS). Candidates are required to provide contact information and sign a declaration confirming their eligibility to stand for election. There is also an opportunity to include a personal statement (of no more than 250 words) and to include a photograph if desired. Following election, successful candidates will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check and sign a Statement of Eligiblity and Code of Conduct. Elections are being held for the following Public and Staff Governor positions on the Council, with terms of office commencing on 1 March 2017: Public Constituency Number of Seats Term of Office End Date Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset 2 2 Years 28 February 2019 Cornwall 2 1 Year 28 February 2018 Devon 4 3 Years 29 February 2020 Dorset 2 1 Year 28 February 2018 Gloucestershire (inc South Gloucestershire) 3 1 Year 28 February 2018 Isles of Scilly 1 2 Years 28 February 2019 Somerset (inc North Somerset) 3 2 Years 28 February 2019 Wiltshire and Swindon 2 3 Years 29 February 2020 Staff Constituency Number of Seats Term of Office End Date Accident & Emergency (Devon and Cornwall) 1 3 years 29 February 2020 Page 6 of 7

7 Accident & Emergency (Dorset and Somerset) Accident & Emergency (Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire & Swindon, Bristol. Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset) Administration & Support Services Urgent Care Services Volunteers Election Timetable Members can nominate themselves for election from Friday 30 December until Tuesday 17 January Electoral Reform Services must receive all nominations by that time. The Notice of Election will be published and postal ballot papers issued to all Members on Friday 3 February 2017 and voting will close on Friday 24 February The result of the election will be declared at the Trust on Monday 27 February 2017 and all candidates will be notified of the election results. Members interested in standing for election can request a nomination pack from: Michelle Barber Electoral Reform Services (ERS) The Election Centre 33 Clarendon Road London N8 0NW Telephone: customerservices@electoralreform.co.uk Text: Text 2FT AM and your name and address to New Governors will be invited to an induction event being held on Thursday 9 March Page 7 of 7