Results of Governor elections

Seven new Governors have been appointed to the Council of Governors for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Eight of the Trust’s existing governors have also been re-elected.

The new public Governors are Evelyn Hinks for Breckland, Susan Fletcher for Broadland, Carol Edwards for North Norfolk, Dr Graham Peeke for Norwich and Jane Scarfe for South Norfolk. Two new staff Governors have also been elected and they are Liz Hogbin for Admin and Clerical and Dr Lorna Kerr for Medical staff.

The re-elected public Governors are Prof Ken Hobbs and Fee Sharples for Breckland, Margaret Gurney for Broadland, Ines Grote for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Dr Jayne Cooper  for North Norfolk, Annabel Kennan for Norwich and Nick Brighouse for South Norfolk. Sheila Ginty was re-elected as the staff Governor for Nursing and Midwifery.

Chairman of NNUH David Prior said: “We are delighted to welcome such experienced people onto our Council of Governors. They will make a positive contribution and ensure that our hospitals are closely in tune with both our staff and the community we serve.”

All NHS Foundation Trusts have a Council of Governors and its role is to represent the interests of the members when services are developed for the future.

Notes to editors

The Council of Governors was formed in April 2008 following elections where the Trust’s members and staff were able to vote for the candidates they wanted to represent them on the council.

There are 15 public Governors who each represent a geographical area in Norfolk or Waveney. There are also six staff Governors who each represent a staff group, plus four appointed Governors from local organisations – the University of East Anglia, NHS Norfolk, Norfolk County Council and a representative from the District Councils.

Council of Governors

Public Governors
• Breckland – **Evelyn Hinks, *Prof Ken Hobbs, *Fee Sharples
• Broadland – **Susan Fletcher, *Margaret Gurney, Terry Nye
• Gt Yarmouth and Waveney – *Ines Grote
• North Norfolk – *Dr Jayne Cooper, **Carol Edwards
• Norwich – Pamela Ford, *Annabel Kennan, **Dr Graham Peeke
• South Norfolk – *Nick Brighouse, **Jane Scarfe
• West Norfolk – Stephanie Powell

Staff Governors
• Nursing and Midwifery – *Sheila Ginty, Sue Burt
• Medical – **Dr Lorna Kerr
• Admin and Clerical – **Liz Hogbin
• Volunteers and Contractors – Terry Davies

*Re-elected Governors
** New Governors

Appointed Governors
Norfolk County Council – Councillor David Harwood
NHS Norfolk – Marion Headicar
UEA – Helen Lewis
District Councils – Councillor Ann Steward

New Public Governors – election statements:

Evelyn Hinks

As a former in-patient at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and present out-patient, I believe I can make a worthwhile contribution as a patient representative. I experienced the care of doctors, nurses, radiotherapy and pharmacy staff. I ate the food, watched the cleaners at work and generally observed all around me. My skills include the previous co-ownership and running of two businesses. I am now employed part-time and do charity work, also as office volunteer for the Prince’s Trust in Norwich. I have both the brain power and spare capacity to devote to the role of Governor.

Susan Fletcher

I am 62 and retired from the NNUH Trust in 2010 after 29 years, as Senior Health Care Assistant on the Paediatric Unit and a secondment in Infection Protection and Control. This provided a good knowledge of the hospital also the needs and wishes of staff, patients and visitors Having been an in-patient and visitor, I can view the hospital function from an independent standpoint with ability to identify good and poor working practices and influence change. Becoming a Governor would allow me to maintain links with the hospital and offer me an opportunity to maximise my knowledge and experience.

Carol Edwards

I have been a nurse for 40 years, 15 years working at the Norfolk and Norwich and Cromer Hospitals. I have strived my entire nursing career to improve patient care, feeling strongly that we must care properly for patients in hospital. I have won national awards in Diabetes, Nurse Education and for improving the care for people with Learning Disabilities whilst in hospital. I am married, live in Corpusty and adopted 3 children, 1 with Learning Disabilities. As a Governor, I would ensure that the care of patients whilst
in hospital, including at Cromer Hospital were of the highest standard.

Dr Graham Peeke

I’m standing because I care strongly about the quality of care and services provided by the hospital. Recently, I have been involved with the Trust as family members have been treated for illness, used maternity services and experienced care of the elderly. Much of this care has been excellent, some not so. I welcome the opportunity to support provision of the best possible care for the Hospital’s varied patient community. I am experienced in monitoring public sector organisations, people management and strategy development. I’d bring enthusiasm and commitment to the role.

Jane Scarfe

I believe in well-informed patients working with medical professionals to optimise care for themselves and others. I see serving as a governor of NNUH as an extension of that role. As a Rheumatoid Arthritis patient and Chair of THE RiNG – a social and support group for Norfolk RA patients– I am particularly interested in the long-term health conditions which are increasingly prevalent in our ageing population. I served on the Royal College of Physicians’ Patients and Carers’ Network, a Strategic Health Authority patients’ working party and, as a former journalist, I have good communication skills.