Brief for the Position of Chair June 2012

Candidate Brief

Brief for the position of Chair – June 2012

Contents

Letter from the current Chairman

About our Trust

Our Strategic Vision: Care at its Best

Our Values

The Role

General Responsibilities

Board Responsibilities

Council of Governors Responsibilities

Other Responsibilities

The Candidate

Further details about the Role

Recruitment Process

How to Apply

Please note:Only individuals who reside within the Trust's catchment area of Chester City, Rural Cheshire, Ellesmere Port & Neston, Flintshire, Wirral, Halton & Wrexham will be eligible to apply for this post.

Letter from the current Chairman

Dear Candidate,

Appointment of Chair, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Thank you for your interest in this role. In this candidate brief, you will find more information about our Trust and about this exciting role that we are recruiting for.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust consists of a 600 bedded Trust, which provides its services on the Countess of Chester Health Park, and a 66 bedded Intermediate Care Service at Ellesmere Port Hospital. The Trust has almost 4,000 staff and provides a range of medical services to more than 445,000 patients per year from an area covering Western Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and North Wales.

There has never been a more interesting or challenging time to join the NHS and the Countess. After years of growth, the NHS is now facing its biggest ever financial challenge and significant changes in how our services are commissioned.

However, the Countess is well-prepared for this and has exciting plans in progress to expand the range of its services and further develop our estate. We have an outstanding record of success in delivering a comprehensive range of services to our local population and we have substantially invested in our infrastructure and our people over recent years and this has been recognised by a number of external awards.

We have recently been awarded the prestigious CHKS 40 Top Hospitals Award - our twelfth year in succession - which is recognition for the hard work and dedication of our workforce. There are only five hospitals in the country who have won this award twelve years in a row and it is reassuring that our on-going drive for excellence in clinical care is recognised in this way.

As Chair, you will lead the Trust Board of Directors and Council of Governors in setting the strategic direction of the Trust, be the Trust's representative within the local community and ensure high standards of probity and governance prevail and that the Trust remains within its terms of authorisation.

This is a key appointment for the Trust and we are seeking applications from exceptional individuals who will be able to make a significant contribution to the strategy, vision and future of our Trust.

If you would like to explore this opportunity further, please feel free to call me for an informal confidential discussion on 01244 365816 or Stephen Cross, Foundation Trust Secretary on 01244 365816.

Yours faithfully,

Sir James Sharples QPM DL

Chairman

About our Trust

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust consists of a 600 bedded District General Hospital, which provides its services on the Countess of Chester Health Park, and a 66 bedded Intermediate Care Service at Ellesmere Port Hospital. The Trust has almost 4,000 staff and provides a range of medical services to more than 445,000 patients per year from an area covering Western Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and North Wales.

The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for the leadership and direction of the Trust. The Foundation Trust's performance and compliance is regulated by Monitor, the NHS Foundation Trust Regulator. Compliance with national service standards is also reviewed and rated by the Care Quality Commission.

Within the Foundation Trust, the Board is accountable to its membership through the Foundation Trust's Council of Governors. The Council of Governors is comprised of appointed Governors, elected Staff Governors and elected Public Governors. Governors have an important role to play as it is through them the population served by the Foundation Trust is directly involved in influencing the strategic direction of the Trust which has around 12000 members.

The Executive Directors are:

Chief Executive: Peter Herring

Medical Director: Currently Dr Virginia Clough (Ian Harvey from 1st July 2012)

Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Nursing & Quality: Gaynor Hales

Director of Operational Services: Tim Lynch

Director of Finance: Debbie O'Neill

Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development: Susan Young

The Non- Executive Directors are:

Chair: Sir James Sharples (post now advertised)

Alastair Findlay (Deputy) Audit Chair and Senior Independent Director

Samantha Dixon

Andrew Higgins

Laura Carstensen

Rachel Hopwood

Our Strategic Vision: Care at its Best

Quite simply we want to deliverthe best possible care to our patients - currently 96% of ourpatients rate our services asgood or excellent and wouldrecommend us to a friend orrelative, but we aim to do more in the next few years;

Providing the best possible patient experience

We believe that providing the best clinical outcomes and highest quality care in a safe, friendly environment where a patient's dignity is fully respected will provide our patients the best possible experience even in the often difficult circumstances many face. That's why we intend to continuously make improvements in the patient experience and reduce the incidence of harm.

Efficiency in delivering services

We aim to deliver streamlined, accessible services to patients, where it is most convenient to them, with the lowest waiting times, by maximising our operational efficiency and productivity and redesigning service provision.

Listening to our customers

Patients are not our only customers - their relatives, friends, visitors, the General Practitioners who refer them and the bodies that commission our services are important too. By listening to our customers and using their feedback and by working in partnership with our commissioners we will continuously improve the services we provide.

Pushing Boundaries

Always moving forward and changing things for the better, expanding the scope and range of services - life-changing innovation, from the application of the very best clinical practice, through process transformation and use of the latest technology.

People at their best

Meeting our ambitions for customers rests on our staff - engaging, empowering and recognising our people will make sure they can give their best and continuously drive improvement in the delivery of services.

Our Values

At the heart of delivering thisvision are our values. These are theprinciples that determine the waywe behave and what we believe in. They help bring us together as a family, giving us a commonculture.

The Role

Accountable to the Council of Governors, the Chair will lead both the Trust Board of Directors (The Board) and the Council of Governors (The Council) and is the Trust’s representative within the local community. The Chair must ensure high standards of probity and governance prevail and that the Trust remains within its terms of authorisation.

The Chair leads the Trust Board of Directors, together with 5 Non-Executive Directors, the Chief Executive and 5 Executive Directors. All Directors of the Trust share corporate responsibility for:

1.Setting the Trust’s strategic direction.

2.Achievement of the Trust’s corporate objectives, including the delivery of national targets and core standards.

3.Delivering high quality and safe care to patients including minimising the incidence of avoidable infection.

4.Determining the policies of the Trust and monitoring their implementation.

5.Advising the Council of Governors in relation to forward plans and other matters.

6.Acting as a trustee of donated funds.

7.Maintaining the financial strength of the Trust.

General Responsibilities

To lead the Trust Board of Directors and Council of Governors in setting the strategic direction of the Trust and ensuring their effectiveness in all aspects of their role, setting their agendas and monitoring delivery of agreed objectives.

To ensure the Trust complies with the Terms of Authorisation, the Constitution and any other applicable legislation and regulations.

To ensure effective communications are maintained between the Board and the Council and that the Board, in reaching decisions, is aware of the views of the Council.

To ensure high standards of corporate and clinical governance are maintained.

To develop a constructive, frank and open relationship with the Chief Executive through regular communication and meetings in the furtherance of the Foundation Trust’s best interests, and to provide support and advice while respecting executive responsibility.

To ensure the provision of accurate, timely and clear information to Directors and Governors.

To set the tone and style of Board discussions which facilitate effective decision- making and constructive debate and ensure, with the Chief Executive, effective implementation of decisions.

To safeguard the good name and reputation of the Trust.

To ensure, with the Chief Executive, effective communication with the Foundation Trust’s members.

To build and maintain an effective and complementary Board, and with the Council, initiate change and plan succession in Non-Executive Director appointments.

To lead the Board in living the Trust’s values and standards.

To develop and maintain close working relationships between the Board of Directors and the Council of Governors.

To establish and build a constructive working relationship with Monitor.

To uphold the values of the Foundation Trust, by example, and to ensure that the Foundation Trust promotes equality and diversity for all its patients, staff and other stakeholders.

To support and challenge, where appropriate, the Chief Executive and other Directors of the Board of Directors to ensure that the Board conforms to the highest standards of corporate governance and makes appropriate decisions.

To ensure regular performance evaluation of the Board, its committees and individual Directors, and act on the results of such evaluation, by ensuring appropriate training/development where necessary to enhance its overall effectiveness as a team.

To represent the Trust with national, regional or local bodies or individuals, to ensure that the views of a wide range of stakeholders are considered and to be an ambassador for the Foundation Trust.

To chair committees or sub-groups of the Board, charged with specific activities, to support the delivery of services e.g. Remuneration Committees, Nomination Committees, as required.

To act as a Trustee of charitable funds, a function exercised through the Finance sub-Committee.

Board Responsibilities

Ensure that, through the leadership of the Chief Executive, the Board:

Establishes effective sub-committees with appropriate non-executive director involvement.

Establishes clear objectives to deliver the agreed plans and meet the terms of its authorisation and regularly to review performance against these objectives.

Maintains mandatory services and retains protected property as defined in the Terms of Authorisation.

Maintains financial viability, uses resources effectively and controls and reports its finances in accordance with the requirements set by Monitor.

Undertakes commissions or makes facilities available for research and development and health care education, in conjunction with universities, further education institutions and research funding bodies.

Participates in a full, formal and tailored induction programme and subsequent development activities, facilitated by the Foundation Trust Secretary & Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

Works with Primary Care Trusts & Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure the effective delivery of services commissioned through contracted arrangements.

Meets all statutory requirements, legal and contractual requirements, safety hazard notices and advice relating to safety of the public, staff and patients, personal privacy and patient confidentiality.

Council of Governors Responsibilities

To undertake the following in addition to those tasks relevant to the Council which are listed in General Responsibilities above:

Preside at council meetings and give direction to the work of the Council.

Ensure a proper flow of information between the Board and the Council.

Ensure an effective communications strategy is maintained to keep members and stakeholders informed.

Ensure that governors are given appropriate development for their role.

Other Responsibilities

To represent the Trust at community functions, and meetings and act as a spokesperson.

Conduct a performance appraisal of the Chief Executive at least annually, and to conduct a process of self-appraisal.

Working in conjunction with the Foundation Trust Secretary, ensure that all administrative aspects of Board and Council meetings are properly executed in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.

The Candidate

Candidates who are considering this role should be able to demonstrate the criteria, skills and experience as outlined in the Person Specification below:

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications & Training /

Evidence of participation in management development opportunities.

Management qualification

Knowledge & Understanding /

Demonstrates good strategic awareness of wider NHS & Healthcare issues and the implications of NHS drivers on Trust services.
Ability to understand and accept the legal duties and liabilities of the Non-Executive Directors.
A sound knowledge of corporate governance issues.

Politically astute, able to grasp relevant issues and understand the relationships between interested parties. Be independent in judgement and think creatively.

Experience /

Significant achievement in leadership / management roles at Board level or equivalent.
Demonstrable evidence of commercial expertise founded in the private or public sector. Accustomed to a high level of accountability.
Proven expertise in a professional field such as legal, finance, human resources.

A proven negotiator with an understanding of the wider implications of decisions.
The ideal candidate will have a number of years board level experience and ideally have been a deputy chair or similar in a large organisation.

Personal skills & qualities /

Able to demonstrate leadership skills and engender respect from others. A good listener, able to weigh up arguments and summarise for others.
Strong inter-personal skills. Manage board members as a team to meet common goals and ensure they utilise their skills and expertise for the good of the organisation.
Commitment to NHS values and principles. Understand the aims of foundation Trust status.
Exceptional communications skills, capable public speaker and able to manage the media.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels and with colleagues within and external to the Trust in accordance with our values and behaviours (see below).
Able to formulate strategies and plans of action to achieve objectives.
Qualified to be a member of the Trust with a home within one of its public constituency boundaries.

OUR VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

VALUES / BEHAVIOURS
We put patients at the heart of everything we do /

I recognise that there is a patient behind everything we do.
I will strive to provide a quality service at every stage of the patient journey.
I will deliver the service and care I would expect to receive myself.
I will listen carefully to what patients tell me, I will act on it and I will keep the patient informed.

We have a ‘can do’ attitude /

I will look for solutions to issues rather than accepting that nothing can be done.
I will strive to do my best at all times and assist others in, and outside my service area.
I will offer to participate where my skills and experience will be of value.
I will take responsibility for making things happen.

We take pride in the service we provide /

I will promote our service positively to others and stand up for the service if it is unfairly criticised.
I will take personal responsibility for my role in the service.
I will do my job to the best of my ability.
I will take pride in my surroundings and appearance.

We strive for improvement /

I will keep an open mind to new ideas, make the most of opportunities and accept when change is necessary.
I will continually look for ways to improve how we work.

I will use feedback to identify improvement opportunities.

I will use effective communication to keep everyone informed.

We are welcoming, friendly and caring /

I will treat all patients, visitors and staff with respect and dignity.
I will make a good and lasting impression.
I will be approachable.
I will acknowledge you when you arrive and make time to understand your needs.

We respect each other /

I will respect your opinion even if it is different to my own.
I will treat everyone as an equal.
I will respect the role of everyone and their contribution to the Trust.
I will take responsibility for my timekeeping and absences, understanding the impact it has on the service and others.

Further details about the Role

Eligibility

Candidates who reside within the Trust's catchment area of the authority boundaries of Chester City, rural Cheshire, Ellesmere Port & Neston, Flintshire, Wirral, Halton & Wrexham will be eligible to apply for this post.

Time commitments

This is currently 3 days per week. This may be during the working day or in the evening. All members of the Board of Directors are required to attend the monthly meetings of the Board. Attendance at Council of Governors will also be required.

Appointment & Tenure

The Chair is appointed for an initial period of three years, subject to satisfactory appraisal. The appointment may be renewed for a second three-year term, subject to the approval of the Council of Governors.