'Join governors team to help make decisions about local hospitals' (From Keighley News)

'Join governors team to help make decisions about local hospitals'

9:30am Sunday 27th January 2013 in News By Miran Rahman

People who want to help make decisions about Airedale Hospital have been encouraged to become one of its governors.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust says the post is an important link between the public and the hospital’s board of directors.

Two events are being held for anyone interested in standing for election. These take place from 10.30am to 11.30am on January 31 and from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on February 28 in the board room at Airedale.

There will be information about what the election process involves and an opportunity to speak to foundation trust chairman, Colin Millar, as well as some of the existing governors.

Adrian Mornin, one of two public governors for Keighley Central, said: “We have a tremendous team of hard-working and dedicated governors. The role is challenging, rewarding and, at times, frustrating, but never dull.

“This is a chance for more people to join us and play an active role in shaping the future of their hospital.”

Keighley West governor, Anne Medley, said it had been exciting to be involved with Airedale during its bid for foundation trust status.

“Both the hospital and the governors had a lot to learn,” she said. “Improving the situation for the patients using the hospital has been central to everything.

“As the main role of a governor is to hold the board to account, we need to be able to read, understand and analyse reports, and then be able to question what has been written and how it applies to the hospital.”

Call (01535) 294540 or e-mail members@-anhst.nhs.uk to book a place at one of the two information events.

Council of governor meetings are held in public at the hospital. The next takes place from 4pm to 6pm today. Spring elections for governors start in April. Local seats available include:

• Bingley Rural (Cullingworth, Harden, Wilsden and Denholme)
• Keighley Central (Utley, Knowle Park, Cliffe Castle); and
• Worth Valley (Oakworth, Haworth, Cross Roads, Oxenhope and Stanbury).

A Keighley governor is also being sought by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The post will be among 13 up for grabs when current terms of office end on March 31.

Public seats will also be vacant in Bradford North, Bradford South, Bradford West and Shipley.

Nomination packs are available from the returning officer Caroline Hinchcliffe at Electoral Reform Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Alternatively, e-mail caroline.hinchcliffe@electoralreform.co.uk or call 0208 8899203.

Deadline for completed nomination forms to be returned is February 7.

Where a seat is contested, elections will take place between February 27 and March 19. Results will be announced on March 20.

Contact Jacqui Maurice, corporate affairs manager at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, on 01274 382685 or jacqui.maurice@bthft.nhs.uk for details.