This is a chance for Governors to find out what patients and visitors think of services at Bassetlaw Hospital – everything from clinical care to catering – and for patients and visitors themselves to find out more about what governors do. In brief, this includes to:
- Talk to patients to make sure quality standards are met and maintained
- Take part in inspections
- Represent the views and interests of local people
- Hold the Board of Directors to account through the non-executive directors.
There are five governors elected by Trust members living in Bassetlaw, each for a three-year term; in addition, one partner governor is nominated by Bassetlaw District Council, and another partner governor by Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service.
Governors don’t deal with individual complaints – but they can signpost people to the right way to complain about services that are not up to scratch. But governors hope that their input, as lay people, means they spot problems before they arise and in that way can help make sure patients’ stay in hospital is a good experience.
There are elections for Bassetlaw governors in 2020. If you are interested, there’s more information available through the Foundation Trust Office at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster DN2 5LT (phone 01302 381355, Freephone 0800 1694857, or e-mail foundation.office@dbh.nhs.uk).