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Issue 8 - Summer 2016 Election Special #DCHSGovElections www.ersvotes.com/DCHSGovElections Why we need people like you! Accountability. We hear it all the time in our society Being a governor is a generally and we talk about it a lot in DCHS and in wonderful opportunity. the NHS more widely. In fact we use the term so It only seems a short often perhaps it begins to lose some of its impact. time ago that we began Do we really know what it means or why it matters? the process of electing It’s a remarkably simple thing to explain but it takes a governing body and hard work to achieve and underpins absolutely now we’re already at everything we do. Accountability is one of the the point where, this guiding principles of holding any public office in life summer, new members Governors – it means that we are accountable to the public for will be elected for our decisions and our actions. around half our staff and public governor seats That principle took on a new meaning for us two which are coming to the end of their terms of office years ago when we achieved foundation trust for the current postholders. status. It effectively ushered in a new era for community health services in Derbyshire and Our community is at the heart of the way the foundation trust operates and our governors are So what makes a good governor and what’s the role like? gave the community we serve a greater say in the at work running and planning of our services. drawn from all walks of life within that community. Their diversity is to be celebrated but they share We asked for some first-hand opinion… So why is it so difficult to achieve? some common goals and values. They care about Roz Coldicott no-one could reach and a television screen Users of our services have an opinion on the the services we provide and they care about which few people could see. It’s important that Constituency: Amber Valley, Erewash treatment they receive from us and we welcome representing the Derbyshire community. these things are challenged and that someone is and South Derbyshire that feedback as we constantly look to improve Our Council of Governors is vital to the success able to see things as they are seen by patients.” what we do. But connecting the wider community After a nursing career spanning more than 40 of DCHS and this special edition of our members’ Roz enjoys a variety of roles as a governor, such to our front line services is more difficult. Inviting years with experience working in a variety of newsletter sets out what it means to be a governor as taking part in insight visits, patient experience the one million Derbyshire people covered by settings, from acute hospitals to community and why you, or someone you know, might feedback and ‘Quality Always’ assessment. our services to the next Trust Board meeting or consider standing for election this summer. If you care, Roz Coldicott retired but felt she had “It’s interesting and challenging and you get consulting them all about daily decision making is care as much as we do and would like to make something to contribute to the health service. out of it what you put into it so you’re able to do simply impractical. And yet we want to hear from your voice heard then why not take the next step “I definitely felt I had something to offer and, as as much as you can manage. I feel I’m there them. and stand as a DCHS governor? a retired person with elderly relatives I found that on behalf of the general public to monitor the We need a conduit through which the community I was suddenly a customer of the community organisation, challenge and explain decision can express its views and through which it can services of DCHS,” said Roz. “And I’m getting making. shape and influence what we do and through Thank you! older myself these days so these services are all which we can feed back. This is where our Council also very important to me. “It’s a very important role questioning why things are happening the way they do, finding out of Governors comes in and what a fantastic job “After the career I’ve had it’s been fascinating for where there have been difficulties and why and the governors do. Nowhere is accountability me seeing how things work and look from the whether or not things could be done differently. more evident than in a governors’ meeting where other side, from the perspective of the patient or scrutiny and questioning puts our executives and Prem Singh Tracy Allen service user. “I feel like my contribution is treated as being non-executives on the spot. In a very real sense, Chairman Chief executive worthy and useful. I meet new people all the “For instance I was sitting in a hospital waiting they hold us to account. time many of whom care about the NHS as room, outside of DCHS, the other day where much as I do.” there was a coffee table of magazines that 2 The Community - Summer 2016 The Community - Summer 2016 3 Our constituencies Derbyshire Dales & High Peak Mapping our governor election vacancies 2016 1,388 MEMBERS 2 GOVERNOR POSTS UP FOR ELECTION New Mills Hathersage Bolsover, Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire Dronfield 2,767 MEMBERS Buxton Chesterfield Bolsover 4 GOVERNOR POSTS Bakewell UP FOR ELECTION Bolsover, Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire Derbyshire Dales & High Peak Amber Valley, Erewash & South Derbyshire Matlock Clay Cross 3,291 MEMBERS Alfreton 3 GOVERNOR POSTS UP FOR ELECTION Ripley Belper Ashbourne Heanor City of Derby Amber Valley, Erewash & South Derbyshire Save the date: 2,334 MEMBERS Ilkeston NO ELECTIONS Annual Members’ THIS TIME City of Derby Meeting 2016 Long Eaton This year’s Annual Members’ Meeting – including the annual meeting of the Council Rest of England of Governors – is set to take place on the Rest of England afternoon of 7 September 2016. It will include a look back at the successes and challenges 2,586 MEMBERS of last year as well as a look ahead at our plans to further improve community services Swadlincote NO ELECTIONS across Derbyshire. It promises to be an THIS TIME interesting event with much more on offer – look out for more details coming soon. 4 The Community - Summer 2016 The Community - Summer 2016 5 What you do need to have is the confidence to ask the question ‘why are you doing that in this Walking in way’ or ‘I don’t understand?’ and to remember that your opinion, somebody as a patient representative is as else’s valid as anyone’s. DCHS lead governor Bernard Thorpe explains “The idea of walking in somebody else’s shoes What you do need to have is the confidence to we have much more how and why he enjoys the role of holding our really resonates because that’s what I try and ask the question ‘why are you doing that in this involvement at a organisation to account and why he’sshoes not afraid do. I put myself in the position of our execs way’ or ‘I don’t understand?’ and to remember much earlier stage. to speak his mind . and non-execs and ask myself: am I being that your opinion, as a patient representative is We get a sense that After being retired as a magistrate aged 70, fair or unreasonable in the opinions that I’m as valid as anyone’s. we’re challenging Bernard Thorpe wanted to feel valued and formulating? “Perhaps it’s my own arrogance but my and influencing useful in semi-retirement. So he stood for “And if I don’t understand, I’m not afraid to ask, life experience has given me a degree of the direction of the nomination as a DCHS governor in the City of especially when it comes to acronyms! I might confidence and I’m not daunted by coming up organisation and Derby constituency, got elected and was then be considered brash sometimes but I don’t care. against people in senior positions with titles that’s important. selected to become the lead governor. – just because I meet a doctor or professor it “I feel empowered So, can anyone get to grips “I really wanted to fill my time and be considered doesn’t mean they’re necessarily better than by the organisation useful and valuable,” said Bernard. “I know it’s with the complex nature of me. which gives me the a cliché, but I wanted to give something back DCHS? “We try to get close to the organisation too, sense that I am able because I’ve been very lucky in my life. but not too close, and it’s about achieving that to contribute, I’m listened to and my opinion is “I can imagine prospective governors being valued and that’s a real buzz for me. “I also wanted to be able to use the skills that concerned about the complexity of the balance.” “There’s no doubt that there are some critical I’ve learned throughout my career and honed organisation and the thought that the NHS What’s the most positive as a magistrate, to good effect – looking for is too big a problem to try and solve. But I times ahead for the NHS nationally – and evidence, remaining impartial, trying to be non- can reassure people not to worry about that.

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