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 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: , Erewash treatment they receive from us and we welcome representing the Derbyshire community. these things are challenged and that someone is and 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 & High Peak Mapping our governor election vacancies 2016 1,388 MEMBERS 2 GOVERNOR POSTS UP FOR ELECTION Hathersage

Bolsover, Chesterfield & 2,767 MEMBERS Chesterfield 4 GOVERNOR POSTS UP FOR ELECTION Bolsover, Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire

Derbyshire Dales & High Peak Amber Valley, Erewash & South Derbyshire Matlock 3,291 MEMBERS

Alfreton 3 GOVERNOR POSTS UP FOR ELECTION Ripley Ashbourne City of Amber Valley, Erewash & South Derbyshire Save the date: 2,334 MEMBERS NO ELECTIONS Annual Members’ THIS TIME City of Derby Meeting 2016 This year’s Annual Members’ Meeting – including the annual meeting of the Council Rest of 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. aspect of being a governor? DCHS in particular – that may lead some people to have real concerns but I believe judgmental and coming up with a reasoned Sometimes I do not always appreciate what “There’s a willingness of behalf of governors there are more people across our county who view or opinion of a particular course of action. is going on or indeed see how all the ‘dots are to get stuck in. We feel able to challenge the want to roll their sleeves up and get involved joined up’. organisation and feel that we’re listened to. It to make sure that we do the very best for our used to be that we were given documents when constituents with what we’ve got.” they appeared to be already completed but now

6 The Community - Summer 2016 The Community - Summer 2016 7 Your next step

Your next steps to becoming a public governor for Derbyshire Community Health Services:

We are holding elections for 14 governor Pop in to a positions, of which nine are public governor roles in the following constituencies: ‘pop-up’ session Bolsover, Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire (4 posts altogether) Want to speak to someone who does the role of 2 posts from 1 November 2016 to governor already, to find out what it’s really like? 31 October 2017 Why not come along to a pop-up session to 2 posts from 1 November 2016 to meet governors who can tell you more about 31 October 2019 their experience of the role. We will be at the Amber Valley, Erewash and South Derbyshire following places: (3 posts altogether) Hospitals 3 posts from 1 November 2016 to 31 October Walton Hospital – 4 August 11am - 12pm 2019 Clay Cross Hospital – 10 August 2pm - 3 pm Derbyshire Dales & High Peak Bolsover Hospital – 11 August 11am - 1pm (2 posts altogether) Health Centres 2 posts from 1 November 2016 to Long Eaton Health Centre – 2 August 31 October 2019 11am - 1pm If you would like to stand for election to become Swadlincote Health Centre – 3 August a governor for Derbyshire Community Health 10am - 12pm Services NHS Foundation Trust you need to New Mills Health Centre – 8 August complete a nomination form and send it to the 11am - 1pm returning officer between 18 July and 15 August So if you’re curious to learn more about the role 2016. of a governor, pop by and chat to us! • Nominations open on 18 July 2016 • Final date for nominations is 15 August 2016 • Ballot papers issued to members How to get a 7 September 2016 • Close of election 30 September 2016 nomination form • Governor election results announced 3 October 2016 If you would like to request a nomination form please contact: Tel: 020 8889 9203 or Trust Secretary, Kirsteen Farrar on 01773 Email: FTNomination.Enquiries@ 824171 ext 5540 (9am- 5pm weekdays) or electoralreform.co.uk e-mail [email protected] or go online: www.ersvotes.com/ or [email protected] DCHSGovElections Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS If you have any questions about becoming a Foundation Trust, Newholme Hospital, Baslow governor, please contact: Road, Bakewell DE45 1AD Corporate Governance Manager, David Boddy www.dchs.nhs.uk

8 The Community - Summer 2016