We have opened our annual elections for our Council of Governors. Members of the public can now nominate themselves to be a public governor.

Our Council of Governors includes people from across Devon who represent their local communities. Governors share their feedback with members of the Board of Directors to represent the interests of local people. As well as representing people in your area, governors play an important role in the governance of the Trust. The Council of Governors appoints the Trust’s Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and holds them to account for the performance of the Board.

Public governors work alongside staff governors and appointed governors from Devon County Council and the University of Exeter, so that the Council of Governors as a whole represents the voices of our staff, patients and wider communities.

Governors have a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, but what they share is a passion for helping to shape local health services in a way that best meets the needs of patients and the public.

Please note: This election is taking place while new legislation is progressing through Parliament. If passed, changes expected from April 2027 will remove the requirement for Foundation Trusts to have a Council of Governors and membership, meaning new governors may only serve for around six months. For more information, please read the Health Bill summary fact sheet.

We value our Royal Devon governors and members, and regardless of the legislative changes and any further national guidance that will be published, we are committed to listening to the voices of our patients, partners and wider communities about what you need from your local NHS. When we can, we will share more information about these changes and how we will ensure you can continue to get involved in the work of the Trust.

Find out more and apply

In the event that there are more nominations than posts available, we will hold an election in August/September and ask our public membership to vote for their preferred representatives.

You must be a member in order to nominate yourself, and you will need the backing of two supporters who are members in the same constituency as yourself.

Please read our ‘becoming a governor’ guide before applying to fully understand the role.

Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday 5 August.

If you have any questions about the governor role, please email the engagement team at rduh.royaldevonmembers@nhs.net or call 01392 403977.