Do you want to have more of a say in helping to shape local healthcare?

If so a role as a Public Governor at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust could be the right challenge for you.

The Trust, which provides mental health, learning disabilities, social care and community services, has two vacancies for Public Governors in the South West Hampshire constituency, which covers the New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and Eastleigh.

Services in this area include integrated community teams as well as community hospitals such as Lymington New Forest Hospital, Romsey Hospital and Fordingbridge Hospital, specialised services at Tatchbury Mount and Leigh House in Eastleigh, and mental health units at Melbury Lodge in Winchester.

Governors are members of the Council of Governors and provide a vital link between the public and the Trust board that connects the Trust with the ideas, feedback and concerns of local people. Their role is to raise concerns and ask questions on behalf of people living in the constituencies they represent, to support service users, and to shape how the Trust develops.

David Lee, Governor for North Hampshire, describes what motivates him to carry out this role: “With my background as a doctor and a patient, I want the NHS to achieve the best. I am also Chairman of a GP Patient Participation Group and want to encourage and assist with more patient participation work in the Trust.”

Nominations for the Governor elections are open until 5pm on Tuesday, 7 February 2017. After nominations there may be a vote in March, after which the successful candidates will be announced.

Anyone wishing to stand for election or nominate a prospective Governor must be a Member of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

For a nominations pack contact Ciara Norris at Electoral Reform Services Ltd in one of the following ways:

Online:                 www.ersvotes.com/southernhealth

Phone:                 0208 889 9203

Email:                    ftnominationenquiries@electoralreform.co.uk

Text:                      2FT SH and your name and address to 88802

Post:                      Electoral Reform Services Ltd

The Election Centre

33 Clarendon Road

London

N8 0NW