Your Voice Could Shape Change In The NHS

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) has six public governor vacancies open for election locally in the county.

Public governors are volunteers who represent the views of local communities and help influence how community services are developed and delivered. They play a vital role in making sure services reflect the needs, experiences and priorities of the people who use them.

Public Governor for Tonbridge and Malling Rachel Knight (pictured) stood for election as a way to share her experiences and say thank you for care her husband has received.

Rachel told SFM: “My husband had an aortic aneurism and stroke 20 years ago, which has meant he has needed lifelong NHS care. Much of this has been from community services, so I stood for governor to share our experiences and say thank you. I have always loved the NHS and I felt it was an opportunity to give something back.”

This year’s elections come as  community healthis set to be at the heart of the NHS's 10-Year Plan and KCHFT has been selected as a national Neighbourhood Health pioneer, with public governors having the opportunity to be involved in shaping how care is delivered closer to home and within local neighbourhoods.

John Goulston, KCHFT Chair told SFM: “How we support people to stay well and out of hospital, and how we give children the best start in life are at the core of community NHS services in Kent. We need you to share your experiences and help us shape these services so the voice of patients is at the heart of our decisions.”

Who can stand for election

To stand as a public governor, individuals must:

• be a member of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
• live in one of the areas with a current vacancy
• be aged 16 or over

They currently have a public governor vacancy in each of these six constituencies:

• Canterbury
• Folkestone and Hythe
• Gravesham
• Swale
• Thanet
• Tunbridge Wells

Membership is free and people who are not already members can sign up online.

Join can join as a member at: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/membership-form/

Nominations are now open and applications must be submitted via the official election website: www.cesvotes.com/Kentcommunity202

People choose to become governors to:

• represent their local community and give people a voice
• influence how community health services are designed and improved
• bring lived experience, local knowledge and fresh perspectives
• gain insight into how the NHS works and develop new skills
• make a meaningful difference to health and wellbeing locally.

Existing governors describe the role as rewarding, eye-opening and a powerful way to contribute to positive change in their communities, but don't just take our word for it. Hear from some of our governors why they chose to stand for election in this short video.

To find out more visit their website at: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/community-health-online/could-you-join-us-as-...

Members who would like more information or support with applying can contact the Governor Support Team on - email: kcht.governors@nhs.net or phone: 0300 013 2143.