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Our Governors

Our Council of Governors acts as a link between service users, carers, staff, the general public and the Trust's Board of Directors.

They support the Board of Directors in setting the long-term vision for our organisation, and hold the non-executive directors to account for the actions of the Board. Our Board of Directors has a duty to consult, and listen to the views of, the Council of Governors.

Photo of Francoise Balfe

Francoise Balfe

Job title Service User Governor
About

As a recent SLaM patient who has worked with the Trust on a number of initiatives, I’m tremendously passionate about joining the Council of Governors to assist the Trust with its’ ambition to improve its services, work in the community and care for its’ staff. I’m extremely keen to use my SLaM experience, and that of the NHS from being a carer to two elderly parents for 15 years, to give something back to the Trust, and ultimately make a difference by taking up such a hugely rewarding role.
My personal journey with SLaM has resulted in my being able to take up a demanding communications role working on Covid-19 and I would like patients, carers, and staff’s experience with the Trust to be positive.

Having over twenty years of communications and engagement experience, including in the Department of Health and Social Care, worked on major government projects and programmes, as a well as a legal background these skills will ensure that I can make a valuable contribution to the Trust.

Emerging from the pandemic over the next few years demands on the Trust will escalate and I want to be part of the group finding solutions to issues as they arise. Through my tireless efforts am committed to robustly representing patient’s voices on all areas of the Trust’s business, particularly on:

  • Reducing waiting lists
  • Improving patient services and care
  • Safeguarding patient safety standards
  • Communicating and engaging diverse communities
  • Investing in staff, training and facilities
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Contact your governors

If you have a question for your governors, please email governors@slam.nhs.uk

The Council of Governors is made up of:

  • Appointed members from organisations that the Trust works with
  • People who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Carers of people who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Members of the public elected by our membership
  • Members of staff elected by our membership

The Council's responsibilities include:

  • Appointing the Chair and other non-executive directors
  • Removing, if three quarters of the council of governors decide that it is necessary, the chair or other non-executive directors
  • Approving, by a majority, the appointment of the Chief Executive by the non-executive directors
  • Appointing or removing the Trust's auditor
  • Supporting and engaging with the Trust board
  • Holding the non-executive directors to account for the performance of the Trust Board
  • Representing the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public
  • Approving 'significant transactions'
  • Deciding whether non-NHS work would significantly impact on the Trust's core role
  • Approving, by an overall majority, an application by the Trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution
  • Approving amendments to the Trust's constitution

Governors review

The governors review includes information about the role of governors and their activities over the preceding year:
Governors review 2021-22

Governors review 2020-21

How to become a governor

Governors are elected to the Council of Governors from the public, service user, carer and staff constituencies. Elected governors serve a three-year term on the Council of Governors. Governors are also appointed by partner organisations. 

If you are interested in becoming a governor, vacancies will be advertised here or you can contact us to find our more via governors@slam.nhs.uk

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