This year the hospital will be holding Governor elections in the following constituencies:Purbeck, East Dorset, Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole
West Dorset
Weymouth and Portland
North Dorset
South Somerset and the Rest of England
Staff
Members of staff may only stand for election in the staff constituency, and public members can only stand for election in the constituency where they live.
Election Process
The election process formally starts on 11 May. From this date you will be able to request further information from the returning officer, who will be running the election on behalf of the hospital. Full details for the returning officer will be available on this page from 11 May.
If you are not already a member of the Trust, then you will need to join before standing for election. Joining is free and easy to do – you can sign up online here (insert link) or you can phone to request a membership form on 01305 255419.
Governor Election 2018 Information Sessions
You can find out more about becoming a Governor at one of our upcoming information sessions. Our Trust Secretary, Rebekah Ley will deliver a short presentation about the Governor role, and how the election process works. She will also be on hand to answer your questions on matters relating to the election and being a DCHFT Governor.
There is no need to book, but it would be helpful if you could let us know if you would like to attend, by emailing Elizabeth.beardsall@dchft.nhs.uk or phoning Liz on 01305 255419. Free refreshments will be available at all the sessions. As parking is limited at all the venues, we would encourage people to travel by public transport wherever possible.
Dorchester
Tuesday 8 May
6pm to 7pm
In the Boardroom at Trust HQ, Bridport Road, DCH.
Pay and display parking is available in the Trust HQ car park. Full details on how to find us are available here (link to travel page)
Sherborne
Friday 11 May
10.30-11.30
Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne.
Please note there is no parking on site at this venue, but local pay and display car parking is available at
Dorchester
Thursday 17 May
12.30pm -1.30pm
In the Boardroom at Trust HQ, Bridport Road, DCH.
Pay and display parking is available in the Trust HQ car park. Full details on how to find us are available here (link to travel page)
Dorchester
Thursday 17 May
6pm-7pm
In the Boardroom at Trust HQ, Bridport Road, DCH.
Pay and display parking is available in the Trust HQ car park. Full details on how to find us are available here (link to travel page)
Wimborne
Friday 18 May
10.30-11.30
Community Learning and Resource Centre (CLaRC) Wimborne
Is it for me?
Our Governors come from all walks of life, but are united by their passion for Dorset County Hospital! No previous experience is required and the elections are open to anyone aged 18 years and over.
Our Governors are required to attend four Council of Governor meetings and four Governor Working Group meetings a year. In addition to this you may want to sit on one of the Council of Governors Committees, join one of our Board Committees as an observer, undertake visits to the hospital as part of the Governor Assurance Team, or undertake activities to promote and engage Trust membership.
Most of the hospital's meetings take place on site, either at the Children's Centre Seminar Room or in the Boardroom at Trust HQ. The majority of meetings are held during the day.
You can read more about the roles and responsibilities of a DCHFT Governor here (insert roles document).
All our Governors sign up to the Governors' Code of Conduct and are expected, like all our staff, to follow the Trust Values (link).
Governor Induction Day
After the election result is announced on 10 July, all new Governors will be invited to attend a Governor Induction Day on Friday 20 July, and if you are standing for election we would ask that you keep this date free in your diary so that you are able to attend induction.
On this day you will receive a Governor Induction Pack containing all the information you need to get started as a Governor, as well as a day of presentations on the hospital and the role of Governor. The Trust Secretariat team will be on hand throughout your tenure to support you and answer your questions.
For more information…
For information on nominations, please contact the returning officer. Their details will be available here once the election process commences on 11 May.
For information about the role, becoming a Trust member, or attending any of our Governor sessions please contact the Trust Secretariat Team at the hospital:
Rebekah Ley, Trust Secretary, Rebekah.ley@dchft.nhs.uk, 01305 253295
Liz Beardsall, Corporate Support Officer, Elizabeth.beardsall@dchft.nhs.uk, 01305 255419
