The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Devon) is looking for people who are keen to stand as candidates for election as one of the Trust’s Public Governors.

This year sees the first election to the Trust’s Council of Governors since the Royal Devon was established in April 2022, following the integration of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

The Royal Devon has two acute hospitals, North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), and provides integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community hospitals and within people’s own homes. The Trust also offers a range of specialist community services and some primary care services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro.

Royal Devon Governors play a vitally important role by providing a direct connection between the Trust, the community it serves and its partners. Governors have a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds, but what they share is a real passion for helping to shape local health services in a way that best meets the needs of patients and the public.

Dame Shan Morgan, Royal Devon Chair, said: “The Royal Devon is in a position of both great opportunity and significant challenge. We are continuing work to integrate our services across North and East Devon to improve the resilience and sustainability of the care we provide, and we are also emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and recovering our waiting lists. It is more vital than ever before that the views of the public we serve in Devon influence the decisions taken by our organisation.

“We are looking for people from all kinds of backgrounds to consider putting themselves forward to take part in the 2022 Royal Devon Governor elections. If you think you have something to offer, we want to hear from you.”

Peta Foxall, Lead Governor, said: “Being a Governor at the Royal Devon is a very rewarding voluntary role and we are well supported by the Trust staff. Governors work together to ensure that the voice of the patient and the community is strongly represented right at the heart of the Royal Devon, and standing for election is important because that gives you a mandate to speak on behalf of the people you represent.”

Whilst a passion and interest in healthcare and the NHS is most important, it helps for candidates to have certain interests and experience to meet the Council of Governors’ key responsibilities. The Trust is providing lots of information and opportunities to help prospective Governors understand more about the role.

The Royal Devon is looking for people who are interested in standing for election as a Governor to one of 14 Public Governor posts. The posts are across the Trust’s three public constituency areas, which cover all of Devon and bordering Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset. Terms of office of one, two and three years are available.  

Governors are elected on their merits by the membership of the Trust – made up of public members and Royal Devon staff members, which are separated into different constituencies. Governor elections will take place during July and August 2022, and successful candidates will take up their role in September.

The election nomination process involves interested prospective candidates setting out in writing why their experience and background would make them an effective Governor. The elections are carried out on a non-party political basis. Please note that if you wish to stand for election as a Public Governor you will need to become a member of the Trust if you are not already.

For more information about being a Governor, including an introductory guide for those interested in being a Governor, FAQs and details on requesting a nomination pack, visit the Trust website. 

The Royal Devon will be holding two online briefing sessions on Tuesday 28 June and Monday 4 July where those who are interested in becoming a Governor can find out more about the role. You do not need to attend one of these sessions in order to submit a nomination.

If you have any queries about booking your place for an online session or the elections process, get in touch. Email the communications and engagement team at rde-tr.royaldevonmembers@nhs.net.