Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is calling on people living in the West Bradford and South Bradford areas to put themselves forward for election as a governor at their local hospitals.

To become a hospital governor you must attend quarterly meetings at the Bradford Royal Infirmary and take an active role in representing the interests of Foundation Trust members. The Foundation Trust is the organisation which runs Bradford’s two hospitals, the Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital.

A governor’s term of office is three years and although governors aren’t paid for their duties, they are able to claim reasonable expenses.

Chairman David Richardson said: “As a Foundation Trust, we are more accountable to the local community and our staff through our membership and the Board of Governors.

“The Board of Governors works with the Board of Directors as a ‘critical friend’, helping to shape the way the Foundation Trust develops its services.

”It’s vital that if you want to become a governor to realise that you will be undertaking a very important public service to the people of Bradford and beyond.”

The Foundation Trust’s Board of Governors has 20 members as well as the Chairman. The Board includes 12 public and patient governors, 4 staff governors and 4 appointed governors from partnership organisations.

To be eligible to vote in the forthcoming elections for your choice of ‘Bradford West’ or ‘Bradford South’ public governor then you must be a member of one of those constituencies.

Election countdown

Friday 20 May

Publication of notice of election

A Notice of Election has been posted on our website and in the local newspaper. This gives people information about where nomination forms can be obtained from and the date by which forms must be returned.
The election will be handled by Independent Scrutineer ERS (Electoral Reform Services Ltd) on behalf of the Foundation Trust.

Nomination packs with information about how to stand for election to these positions are available from Friday 20 May 2011 from the Returning Officer at the address below;

Caroline Hinchcliffe
Returning Officer
Electoral Reform Services Ltd
The Election Centre
33 Clarendon Road
London N8 0NW
Tel: 0208 889 9203
Email: Caroline.hinchcliffe@electoralreform.co.uk

Tuesday 31 May

Governor Information Session

From 11.00am until 12.00pm.  At Trust HQ, Bradford Royal Infirmary.  A public session for people to find out more about being a Governor – book by phoning membership helpline on 0800 280 2581 or email bradfordhospitals@capitaregistrars.com

Tuesday 7 June

Deadline for nominations

Completed nomination forms must be posted to the ERS Returning Officer by noon on this date.

Monday 27 June

Publication of notice of poll

All members eligible to vote in the Keighley constituency will receive voting papers by post.

Friday 15 July

Deadline for voting

Completed voting papers must be posted to the Returning Officer by noon on this date.

Monday 18 July

Election result announced

For further information about becoming a governor please go to: http://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/foundation-membership, email Jacqui,uarice@bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk or telephone corporate affairs manager, Jacqui Maurice, on 01274 362685.