Members and governors

Meet the Council of Governors

Visit our Governors page to get to know the Council of Governors.

SASH Council of Governors

We are proud to have an active Council of Governors made up of 27 members of our patients, the public and members of staff, as well as some key partners from the voluntary and health and social care sector. They act as a conduit and a voice between patients, members, others and the Trust leadership; raising issues, concerns and suggestions, communicating and advocating Trust strategies and plans.

As SASH is not a Foundation Trust, our CoG does not have statutory powers.

Our governors act as a critical friend and advisor, representing the interests of the organisation, staff, members and the wider public with opportunities to use their expertise in the following ways:

• Shape our PPE strategy and action plan
• Input into our strategy development
• Playing an active role in our improvement work as part of SASH+
• Provide feedback on the annual quality account
• Support SASH in public consultations

Membership on a number of key working groups (patient experience, organ donation, patient information, environment assessments, way finding, staff well-being)

Participate in the selection process for senior staff (e.g. Chair and chief nurse)

• SASH ambassadors for joint working with voluntary and community sector
• Fundraising champions
• Patient information development
• Subject matter experts for themed events and surveys

Governors are advocates for SASH, providing support and bringing to the attention any matters of broad concern (not individual) raised by members in relation to standards of care, safety, performance, value for money or any matter contrary to the Trust’s values.

• Consulted by CQC as part of their formal inspection programme
• Continue to be a resource and sounding board mechanism for the Trust
• Support the Trust in looking for innovative ways to involve members

Our Council of Governors are greatly valued by the Trust Board as an important resource and they continue to play an active role in a wide range of activities across the organisation.