• Elections for people to become a governor at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust are now open
• Public and staff positions available to help improve healthcare and represent your community
• Nominations close on Wednesday 16 July

Elections for people to join Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s Council of Governors’ has opened for 2025.

Governors act as both a voice and a listening ear for members, ensuring their perspectives are heard and considered. They play a key role in influencing the Board’s decisions on the future delivery and development of services.

This year, there are seven public seats available in:

• Bolton North East (x1)
• Bolton South East (x5)
• Rest of England (x1)

The Trust are also looking for staff working in the organisation to put themselves forward for the following positions:

• Nurses and Midwives (x1)
• Doctors/Dentists (x1)
• All other staff (x2)

Nominations opened on Tuesday 17 June and will close on Wednesday 16 July.

Sharon Katema, Director of Corporate Governance and Trust Secretary, said:

Our governors play a really important role in listening to our members and making sure their voices are heard at the highest level.

“We’re looking for people from all walks of life who can bring their unique experiences and insights to the table.

“If you’re passionate about improving healthcare and representing your community, we’d love to hear from you.

Grace Hopps spent her career in NHS service as a Nurse, Midwife, Senior Manager and Associate Director, before being publicly elected as a governor by the Trust members of Bolton West.

Grace said:

As an elected Governor, my role is to represent the residents of Bolton in holding the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Trust Board, which includes the care provided by the Trust.

“I chair the Governors Quality Committee where the focus is to explore, in more depth, the issues which affect the quality of care for our patients both in the hospital and community. I’m able to listen to Governor colleagues, residents and patients to gauge what actually is happening on our wards, departments and in the community.

“I am proud to say that we regularly hear about the innovations in practice that are recognised nationally, benefiting the people of Bolton and patients from further afield who choose Bolton NHS Foundation Trust for their care.

“I see the Governor role as an important conduit between our residents and the Trust Board with access, equality and the quality of care their main priority.

Lindiwe Mashangombe works in the Trust’s laboratories, but is also keen to make Bolton a better place to live and work through her role as a Staff Governor.

As staff Governor and Chair of Governor Strategy Committee, I am proud to help shape the future direction of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.

“I stepped into this role with a clear purpose: to ensure our strategy reflects the real needs of the people we serve across all backgrounds, communities, and experiences. I believe our patients and staff members all deserve to see themselves reflected in the decisions we make.

“As Governor you build valuable networks across professions with Board members and attend Trust Board meetings. In all this, representation is important and I am proud to be Governor at a Trust that is inclusive and strives to be fair. Being a Governor means a bridge between staff and leadership, and I am excited to make a positive impact.

For more information about the Council of Governors and submitting a nomination, visit the Trust’s website.