Foreword

Foreword from the chairman and chief executive 

Dear governor

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being a governor of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The Council of Governors has a very important role and contribution to make to the success of the Trust and this handbook is designed to help you as a reference guide throughout your term of office.

“The value of governors isn’t that they are professionals or managers, although many of them either are or have been just that: their value is that they are the public. They can bring an outside perspective, an open mind and good sense to the table, as well as an insight into what people think about local health services and some knowledge of what it is like to be a patient or service user. That outside perspective, if properly channelled, could be as valuable to boards as survey data or feedback reports.”

—John Coutts, NHS Providers, 2014 

We are privileged and proud to lead an organisation staffed by people who demonstrate every day their commitment to providing outstanding care to a community of more than 1.5 million people.

We believe in supporting and developing you as a Foundation Trust governor to enable you to enjoy and be confident in your role, helping us to best meet the needs of the people we are here to serve. 

The role of governor is an important one, providing a direct link between the Trust and local communities, staff and key partner organisations. As a governor you represent the interests of your constituency, staff group or partner organisation and, as part of the Council of Governors, receive information from the Trust to enable you to hold the non-executive directors to account for the performance of the Board.  

We hope you will find your term as governor to be rewarding and we will look forward to working with you.

Matthew Swindells Chairman	Lesley Watts Chief Executive