Dorset County Hospital is looking for people who would like to make a difference to their local hospital by becoming a hospital governor.
This year the hospital will be holding governor elections in all six of its constituencies, Purbeck, East Dorset, Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland, North Dorset, South Somerset and the Rest of England, and the staff constituency.
Anyone interested in becoming a governor is invited to attend one of five local information sessions to find out more.The hospital’s Trust Secretary, Rebekah Ley will deliver a short presentation about the Governor role, and how the election process works. She will also be on hand to answer questions on matters relating to the election and being a DCHFT governor.
There is no need to book, but it would be helpful if you could let the team at the hospital know you would like to attend, by emailing elizabeth.beardsall@dchft.nhs.uk or phoning 01305 255419. Free refreshments will be available at all the sessions. As parking is limited at all the venues, the hospital would encourage people to travel by public transport wherever possible.
- Dorchester
Tuesday 8 May
6pm to 7pm
In the Boardroom at Trust HQ, Bridport Road, DCH. - Sherborne
Friday 11 May
10.30am to 11.30am
Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne. - Dorchester
Thursday 17 May
12.30pm to 1.30pm
In the Boardroom at Trust HQ, Bridport Road, DCH. - Dorchester
Thursday 17 May
6pm to 7pm
In the Boardroom at Trust HQ, Bridport Road, DCH. - Wimborne
Friday 18 May
10.30am to 11.30am
Community Learning and Resource Centre (CLaRC) Wimborne
The election process formally starts on 11 May. From this date you will be able to request a nomination form from the returning officer, who will be running the election on behalf of the hospital. Full contact details for the returning officer will be available on the hospital website from Friday 11 May.
Dr David Cove, Lead Governor, said: “Our governors come from all walks of life – what unites them is a passion for Dorset County Hospital. The Council of Governors is proud to be working alongside the hospital staff to help deliver the hospital’s mission of ‘outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them’.
“This is a challenging time for Dorset County Hospital and the NHS as a whole. However the delivery of the hospital’s new strategy and the developments on the horizon at the hospital site, mean that this is a very exciting time to be a hospital Governor.”
If you are not already a member of the Trust, then you will need to join before standing for election. Joining is free and easy to do – you can sign up via the members’ section of the Dorset County Hospital website www.dchft.nhs.uk or you can phone to request a membership form on 01305 255419.