PORTSMOUTH people keen to have a say in helping shape healthcare services in our area are invited to put themselves forward for a ‘vital’ role at a local NHS trust.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability, children’s and community services across Hampshire, now has a vacancy for a public governor in the South East Hampshire constituency, which includes Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham.

Governors become members of the Council of Governors and provide a vital link between the public and the trust. They help communicate the ideas, feedback and concerns of local people.

Lynne Hunt, chair of Southern Health, said: ‘Our public governors play such a vital role.

placeholder image — Lynne Hunt, chair of Southern Health.

‘They not only help us make strategic decisions about our services but, most importantly, they are the voice of the public and our patients.

‘So, if you have a passion for healthcare and want to make a sizeable difference, I would encourage you to become a public governor.’

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Governors have played a strong role in trust developments in recent years, sitting on interview panels for new board members, being involved in work that directly affects frontline services, and attending public events to share the work of the trust.

Adrian Thorne, Southern Health’s lead governor, added: ‘Governors play a key role in making sure our patients’ and carers’ voices are heard, and they are a critical friend to the Trust.

‘To be most effective, we need individuals with all sorts of backgrounds, interests and skills to join the Council of Governors and fully represent our communities across Hampshire.’

Nominations for the Governor elections are open until 5pm on August 26.

Visit mi-nomination.com/southernhealth.