NEW governors have been elected at Airedale Hospital.

The nine recruits will help act as a link between the public and board.

And they will provide input into improving services at the Steeton site.

Christine Highley, who has represented Keighley West and Worth Valley since May last year, has been re-elected.

She has been involved in the running of two small businesses and has served on the management committee of Keighley Show for many years.

Also re-elected is South Craven representative Margaret Berry.

Although from a farming background, she is a qualified chiropodist and has 25 years' experience of running a business.

Among those joining them on the council of governors is Nick Cole, representing Craven.

He has served as both a Keighley primary school governor and Addingham parish councillor in recent years.

For the past decade, he has recruited to executive and non-executive leadership roles in the public sector.

Ros Seton, who has lived in the Airedale area all her life, will represent Bingley Rural.

She has a particular interest in improving treatment for patients with addictions and mental health problems, and support for their carers.

David Haston will represent the hospital trust’s staff nurses and midwives.

Mr Haston, a charge nurse in the theatres department, has worked at the hospital for more than 20 years.

Other governors elected include Mark Pearson, who will represent Bingley; Karen Ellison, Ilkley and Wharfedale; Olukayode Dada, Skipton, and Kathryn Townsley, rest of England.

The appointments are welcomed by Andrew Gold, chairman of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: "We are delighted to welcome the new governors to their roles and look forward to their input in support of the trust’s future development.

"Our aim is to be reflective of the diverse community the trust serves and there is a broad range of skills and life experience within the council of governors.

"That is essential given the governors provide an important link to the population that the trust serves."