Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), which runs hospitals in Andover Basingstoke and Winchester, is welcoming the latest members of the Council of Governors to join the HHFT team.  

The Council of Governors plays an important role, working alongside the Board of Directors to ensure that the local communities and staff have an influence in how services are developed and delivered by the trust. The Council of Governors is made up of local people, staff members and representatives from local authorities. 

The HHFT Council of Governors is made up of fifteen public governors, five staff governors and five appointed governors. 

Steve Erskine, Chairman, said: “The Council of Governors is central in voicing the needs and interests of our local communities and staff, as well as providing an important scrutiny role of what is going on in our hospitals, holding our non-executive directors to account for the performance of the board of directors. 

“I am thrilled to welcome our new Governors, who I am sure are going to be an excellent addition alongside our existing members, at what is a really important time for our organisation. I would like to congratulate our Governor colleagues who have been re-elected this year, and all our newly elected staff Governors. Finally, thank you to those whose terms have ended, for your valuable contributions to team HHFT over many years.” 

Douglas Ralph, Lead Governor, added: “The role of a Governor has never been more important than it is today, as we see our trust confront the challenges of a global pandemic, but also look ahead to the future of healthcare in Hampshire through the Hampshire Together: Modernising our hospitals and health services. I am looking forward to welcoming them all as we support our incredible colleagues in the NHS.” 

There are plenty of ways to get involved with your local hospital, including becoming a member of the Foundation Trust where you’ll receive regular updates about services and events. Get to know the HHFT Governors by visiting https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/membership/meet-your-governors or email communications@hhft.nhs.uk to get in touch. 

Meet HHFT’s new governors for 2021: 

Please welcome Anthony Bravo and Abigail Compton-Burnett as our new public governors for North Hampshire and West Berkshire! 

Anthony moved to Basingstoke in 2009 and works as the Principal of Basingstoke College of Technology. Anthony was previously Principal at Crossways Academy in Lewisham, which has become a world reference site for the use of ICT in education and a model for integrated smart building technology. He also represents the college at other local and national organisations, including the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. 

Abigail has worked as a personal care attendant and a registered hospital and community nurse, as well as a management consultant for a diverse range of projects from NHS communication systems to transformations of retail banking. After leaving consultancy to raise four children, Abigail then became involved in various school and community groups like the Parent Teach Association. Recently, Abigail has gone above and beyond, helping to establish and run a COVID-19 Community Hub, alongside her many other roles which include Governor of Winklebury Federation Schools and Trustee of Besom in Basingstoke which works to support vulnerable people in the local area.  

For Mid and East Hampshire, we are delighted to introduce Patrick Cornelius and Graham Sumner as our newly elected governors! 

Patrick worked for 67 years in the maritime industry, covering sea service on a variety of ships and shore appointments additionally to his roles in maritime education and consultancy. He has also acted as the Director of a Maritime Authority. Within these positions, Patrick has carried out a diverse range of audits, teaching auditor causes, additionally to being involved in quality assurance and management regimes. Outside of work, Patrick’s hobbies are DIY, gardening, and beekeeping. 

Graham has had an impressive array of jobs in the defence industry and global IT services, working on the development of major Airborne Radar projects, and leading IT innovations. More recently, Graham has worked with the NHS on projects including the National Programme for IT and the London Medical Imaging and AI Centre for Value Based Care. He is also a member of the AHSN Network AI advisory group. Graham is married with two grown up children and enjoys love drives around and beyond his home in Hampshire. 

Vacancy for a Public Governor in the West and South Hampshire Constituency 

UK Engage are running the elections from 1 April – the vacancy is for a Public Governor in the West and South Hampshire Constituency. Details on how to apply are shared with our members. To learn more about HHFT membership, visit the Hampshire Hospitals website. 

Responsibilities include: 

  • Gathering the views of the local community about the services our hospital provides 
  • Working with the Board of Directors to produce the strategic vision and review the annual plan 
  • Appointing the chairman and the non-executive directors and agreeing their remuneration 
  • Approving the appointment of the chief executive 
  • Reviewing the annual report and accounts 
  • Appointing the external auditors 
  • Developing the membership strategy 
  • Developing other programmes of work agreed with the Board of Directors 

ENDS  

Notes to Editors  

  1. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) provides hospital services to a population of approximately 570,000 people in Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.   
  1. HHFT has around 6,000 staff and a turnover of £423million a year.  
  1. HHFT delivers one hospital service across multiple locations including its own hospitals, Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. It also provides outpatient and assessment services from Alton Community Hospital.  
  1. As a Foundation Trust, HHFT is accountable to the local community through a system of local ownership with members and elected governors. HHFT has around 15,000 staff and public members. Foundation Trusts are free from central government control and can reinvest any surplus to develop clinical services. They are authorised and regulated by NHS Improvement, an independent regulator.  
  1. Hampshire Hospitals Charity (Registered Charity 1060133) is managed by the Foundation Trust itself and is split into ward and department funds. The funds are used to provide items that will benefit both patients and staff as well as to brighten up patient treatment areas and staff facilities. Most wards and departments have their own funds and the decisions as to how the funds are to be used are made at ward and departmental level, subject to guidelines issued by the Charity Commission.