NOMINATIONS for public governor at Gloucestershire Hospitals will be open on Tuesday, July 15, with two vacancies available in the Forest of Dean.

Governors represent the views and interests of NHS Trust members and the local community, including those who use the Trust's services, their carers, the public, staff, and partner organisations. They help ensure the Trust is rooted in its community and responds to community needs. Elections are held most years, with an office term of three years.

Any Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust member can nominate themselves for governor vacancies in their constituency. Becoming a member is free for anyone 16 and over living in Gloucestershire, which you can do online.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are proud of our diverse membership who help us build and maintain effective links with the community that we serve. This ensures direct involvement of stakeholders in our corporate governance and decision making processes.”

Governors have varied responsibilities. They represent the views of staff, patients and the public. Governors represent the views of members, and as a part of the Council of Governors, act as a link between members and the Board of Directors.

The Council helps the Board ensure the views of local communities, staff and people who use the Trust’s services are taken into account when plans for services are being developed. The Council of Governors meets six times a year to provide feedback on developments and decisions at Gloucestershire’s hospitals.

Another responsibility of a governor is to hold the Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board of Directors. Governors are given various opportunities to do this, for example, by observing their activities, or meeting with them and asking questions.

You can find more information and a nomination form online. The deadline for completed nomination forms is Tuesday, August 12, at 5pm.