Introduction by the Chairman

Graham Sims

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust provides the majority of secondary care hospital services to the people of Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire and a range of more specialised services to the whole population of Berkshire and beyond.
The Trust has a strong reputation for its clinical services, having for a number of years delivered results in many areas that put us in the best in class.
We are therefore very proud of the Trust and the services that we provide to our communities. We have an excellent body of devoted staff and a wide group of partners and friends who work with us. We have strong links with the community and this is exemplified by our Council of Governors. Our Governors represent the communities we serve, our staff and our key partners. They provide sterling service in representing the views of our members and the community and helping us in what we do.
Foundation Trusts are part of the NHS. We have more freedom to manage our own budgets and to shape the health care service we provide to better reflect local needs and priorities. Foundation Trusts are accountable to their communities through local people who become members of the Trust and who elect or appoint Governors. The membership community is made up of local people, patients, carers, volunteers and staff. We have a large body of members, now over 23,000 strong, who provide us with excellent support.

The key outward face of the Trust is the Council of Governors. The Council has an important role in communication with local people and in helping to tailor services better to meet local needs. Good Governors are a key part of our success.
If you would like to and are thinking of becoming a governor please read this booklet carefully. Our interim Trust Secretary can be contacted by email, or telephone, 0118 322 5335 and she will be happy to tell you more about the role.

I very much hope you find this helpful and that it will encourage you to apply to join the Council.

Graham Sims

Chairman

1Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust – about us

We touch the lives of half a million patients each year through the provision of high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities in Reading, Wokingham, West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Bracknell. We also provide specialist services such as cancer, heart attack, hyper acute stroke, renal, trauma unit, ophthalmology and specialist orthopaedics, to a population of one million across Berkshire and its borders. With around 5,000 staff we are one of the largest employers in the Reading area.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital is based on a single site near the centre of Reading. The hospital is the main base for the Trust and, with around 700 beds and capacity for over 200 day patients, it provides a wide range of services. The Trust manages the day surgery unit and the acute outpatients department of West Berkshire Community Hospital. We are also responsible for running clinical services at Townlands Hospital in Henley and host and provide services at the Royal Berkshire Healthspace in Bracknell. The Prince Charles Eye Unit, based at the King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor, provides eye services to the patients of East Berkshire and has two adjacent modern ophthalmic theatres. We also provide dialysis services to the patients of East Berkshire at a unit in Windsor.

Our vision

To provide the best healthcare in the UK for our patients in our community

Our commitment to deliver our vision will be taken forward through four ‘Simple Aims’

  • Best patient experience
  • Best healthcare outcomes
  • Best value healthcare
  • Best place to work train and learn

For further information please see copies of our annual report and annual plan. All are available on our website or on request.

2Governance arrangements – how we are run

NHS Foundation Trusts are run by a Board of Directors – these are ‘unitary boards’ comprising both executive (staff) directors and non executive (independent) directors. The Board provides leadership, develops the Trust strategy and monitors its performance, patient care and efficiency. The Executive team reports to the Board, running the organisation on a day to day basis. Details of the Executive team structure and the work of individual specialties can be found on our website in the ‘About Us’ and ‘Wards and Departments’ sections.

The Council of Governors sits between the Board and the membership community and its primary roles are to represent the views of the membership, and hold the non executive directors to account for the performance of the Board of Directors. The Council has a number of duties which include approving the appointment of the Chief Executive and appointing the non-executive directors and Chairman.

The Council of Governors is made up of 29 governors. There are fifteen public Governors representing five public constituencies. These are elected by public members of the Foundation Trust. A map of our constituencies is at Appendix 1.

  • Reading (x5)
  • East Berkshire & Borders (x3)
  • West Berkshire & Borders (x3)
  • Southern Oxfordshire (x1)
  • Wokingham (x3)

Trust volunteers also elect a Governor

The five staff Governors represent all the major staff groups:

  • Healthcare Assistant/Ancillary
  • Admin/Management
  • Medical/Dental
  • Allied Health Professionals/Scientific
  • Nursing/Midwifery

The eight appointed partner Governors are nominated by key stakeholders. These are:

  • Berkshire West Federation of Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • Berkshire East Federation of Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • Reading Council for Racial Equality
  • Berkshire Carers Service
  • Reading Borough Council
  • Wokingham Borough Council
  • West Berkshire Council
  • Youth Representative (appointed by a local authority served by the Trust )

Foundation Trusts are given a licence to operate by a regulator, Monitor. We are also regulated by the Care Quality Commission which gives us a registration to practice.

3What do Governors do?

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 sets out a number of statutory duties for Governors, which include;

a) Appointing and, if appropriate, removing the chair and other non executive directors;

b) Deciding the remuneration and allowances and other terms and conditions of office of the chair and the other non-executive directors

c) Approving any new appointment of a Chief Executive

d) Holding the non-executive directors, individually and collectively, to account for the performance of the Board of Directors

e) Representing the interests of the members of the trust as a whole and the interests of the public

f) Appointing the Trust’s auditors

g) Receiving the Annual Report and Accounts

h) Approving amendments to the Trust’s Constitution

The Governors’ duty to hold the non executive directors, individually and collectively, to account for the performance of the Board of Directors does not mean that Governors are responsible for decisions taken by the Board on behalf of the Trust. Responsibility for those decisions remains with the Board.

The Trust may allow Governors to become involved in areas not covered by the legislation. However, they do not play an operational role within the Trust.

Types of activity Governors may be involved with include:

  • Developing and reviewing the membership strategy to make sure that levels of representation and engagement are maintained and increased as appropriate
  • Holding constituency meetings to communicate with members and understand members’ views

As a Governor you would need to make time available to attend meetings and to talk to members and the public. More detail is set out in the role description attached at Appendix 2.

4Council Committees

The Council of Governors has set up several groups to help it deliver its objectives. How Governors hold the non-executive directors to account may change from time to time.

Membership Committee:

  • Develops, implements and reviews the membership strategy for the Trust
  • Implements plans for engaging with the membership community
  • Recommends and reviews relationships and methods of communicating between Governors and the membership
  • Reviews the membership of the Trust to ensure it is representative of those eligible to be members
  • Oversees preparations for the Annual Members Meeting

The Nominations and Remuneration Committee:

  • Makes recommendations to the Council on the appointment of Non-Executive Directors
  • Recommends to the Council of Governors, the terms and conditions, including remuneration and allowances, of Non-Executive Directors
  • Reviews protocols for the approval of Chief Executive, appraisal of the Chairman and Non Executive Directors and appointment of Non-Executive Directors

Strategy Committee:

  • The Committee makes recommendations to the Council of Governors on its annual strategic objectives and their implementation
  • The Committee leads on the Council’s input into the Trust’s strategic plans
  • The Committee monitors the effectiveness of the Council, its decision-making structures and the role of Governors

Clinical Assurance Committee:

  • Receives a range of assurance information submitted to the Board
  • Provides assurance to the Council of Governors in respect of the clinical performance and safety of the Trust

Business Assurance Committee:

  • Receives information to assist holding non-executive directors to account
  • Provides assurance to the Council of Governors in respect of the financial and business performance of the Trust

5Achievements of Governors

Since the Council’s inception in 2006, Governors have achieved a significant amount, including:

Statutory duties

 Appointed or reappointed non-executive directors

 Appointed a new Chairman

 Approved the appointment of a Chief Executive

 Appointed external auditors

 Significant involvement in developing the Trust strategy

Membership

 Membership has grown from 10,000 on 1 June 2006 (5,800 public members) to over 23,000 today (of which almost 18,000 are public members)

 Throughout the year members are invited to tour various hospital departments and attend events such as seminars on cardiology and dementia

 Each constituency has an annual seminar in their area. This is on a specific topic; previous seminars have included pain management, dementia and radiotherapy Governors are also encouraged to host an annual talk in their constituency about the Trust

 Every year there is an Annual Members Meeting. This year it will be held in July at Reading University

 ‘Pulse’ our members’ newsletter is published online four times a year. This is packed full of the latest Trust news and events

 More information about being a member of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust can be found on

External relationships

 Our Governors have regularly been asked to visit new and aspirant foundation trusts to give help and advice

6Induction and Continuing Support for Governors

An induction programme is available and incorporates a number of elements.

- A Governor resource pack - each Governor is given a pack including copies of a governance handbook, Trust structure charts and administrative information. They also receive a code of conduct and further detail on their roles and responsibilities, including Monitor’s publication on the statutory duties of Governors.

- A formal induction session - Governors will be expected to attend a formal induction covering the following areas:

  • Background and introduction to the Trust and the wider NHS
  • The concept and principles of NHS Foundation Trusts
  • The workings of the Council of Governors and Board of Directors, procedures for meetings and contributing to agendas.

The Council of Governors, as individuals or as a collective group, may seek additional training or skills. An in-house training plan for Governors has been developed and Governors are encouraged to attend national seminars and courses run by NHS Providers where appropriate.

A hospital tour is arranged for the newly elected Governors as part of the main induction day. Tours of other Trust facilities can be arranged. Governors are actively encouraged to take part in and host membership events which cover a wide range of departments and services.

Governors are encouraged to take part in the weekly ‘executive walkabouts’ where visits are made by directors to a hospital area and specialty.

A regular programme of seminars is delivered for Governors. The subject matter for each is selected by the Governors themselves. These all form part of a comprehensive Governor training and development programme.

All Governors are welcome to attend Board of Directors meetings as observers. The Board and the Council also hold joint meetings every quarter.

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust seeks to encourage Governors from all sections of society and will be sensitive to enable those with special needs who may be elected or nominated to carry out this role.

7Who can stand as a Governor?

Any member over 16 years old who lives or works within one of our constituencies is eligible to stand for election as a Governor. You would prepare an election statement and there would be a postal ballot in your area. All members in that public constituency or staff group would receive a ballot paper and choose their preferred candidate.

As a candidate you would be expected to stand for the constituency in which you live or work – for example if you live in Reading you would stand as one of the Reading Governors. There are detailed rules on the election process, appointment and eligibility of Governors – these will be given to you in the nomination pack if you wish to proceed.

All Governors are bound by our Trust Code of Conduct for Governors. Specific issues relating to confidentiality must be adhered to as defined in the constitution.

8Do I need any special skills or experience? Will I get paid?

You do not need any particular skills or experience. The Governors elected will be supported by Trust staff. You would be working alongside staff Governors and Governors appointed by local councils, other parts of the NHS and local charities or voluntary organisations. Under the regulations governing all Foundation Trusts, Governors can only be paid expenses, such as travelling costs.

9Further Information and Next Steps

You can only stand when there is a vacancy and an election in your area although you can register your interest at any time. All vacancies will be widely advertised to the Trust’s membership community. Nomination packs would then be available on line and must be returned direct to the Trust’s election contractor – Electoral Reform Services.

If you are interested, please visit the ‘About the Trust’ section of the Trust’s website in the first instance. Details of how to apply are available at Alternatively, email the interim Trust Secretary, Telephone 0118 322 5335

10Further reading

Monitor

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nhs-foundation-trusts-documents-and-guidance

NHS Providers

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Appendix 1 – Trust Public Constituencies

ND – Grey/thick green borders are local authority areas. Green are public constituency boundaries.

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Appendix 2

ROYAL BERKSHIRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

GOVERNORS’ JOB DESCRIPTION

SECTION 1 - JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Governor

Area: Council of Governors

Location/Base: Trust-wide

SECTION 2 – JOB SUMMARY

A Governor is part of the Council of Governors and represents the interests of local communities, partners and Royal Berkshire NHS FT Members in the development of the organisation.

Governors are a key community and member link for the Trust. Governors are responsible for feeding back to the Trust, via the Council of Governors, the views and ideas of the members they represent. Governors will develop membership in two main ways: by overseeing the development and implementation of the Membership Strategy; and by direct engagement with Members.

The Council of Governors is responsible for ensuring that the Trust conducts its business in a way that reflects its purpose. Part of their role is making sure that the views of people who use the Trust’s services and local communities are taken into account when plans for services are being developed.

The Council of Governors is also expected to hold the Board of Directors to account and would also be expected to inform Monitor (the Foundation Trust Regulator) if it has any concerns about the performance of the Board of Directors which could not be resolved at a local level.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual Duties and Responsibilities

  • To abide by the Code of Conduct
  • To uphold the values of the Trust
  • To comply with the policies and procedures of the Trust including the Terms of Authorisation and Constitution.
  • To attend meetings of the Council of Governors, its Committees and Groups
  • To attend briefing meetings held for members in their constituency and to develop mechanisms for eliciting the views of members in their area

Collective Duties and Responsibilities as part of Council of Governors

Statutory Responsibilities
  • To hold the non-executive Directors individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board of Directors;
  • To represent the interests of the members as a whole and the interests of the public;
  • To appoint or remove the Chairman and the other non-executive directors;
  • To approve an appointment (by the non-executive Directors) of the Chief Executive;
  • To decide the remuneration and allowances, and the other terms and conditions of office, of the non-executive Directors;
  • To appoint or remove the Trust’s auditor;
  • To be presented with the annual accounts, any report of the auditor on them and the annual report;
  • To provide their views to the Board of Directors when the Board of Directors is preparing the document containing information about the Trust’s forward planning;
  • When appropriate to make recommendations for the revision of this constitution;
  • To approve any merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution application in respect of the Trust before the application is made to Monitor.
Other Responsibilities
  • To represent the interests of the local community, including the people who use the Trust’s services and their carers.
  • To act as a Trust representative in the community providing talks to local groups and at community events
  • To act as a source of ideas about how the Trust can provide its services in a way that meets the needs of the communities it serves
  • To oversee the Foundation Trust’s Membership Strategy and encourage membership
  • To be potentially part of key committees:

o Business Assurance Committee