Our Governors page - Banner

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 David Warner

David Warner

Job title Service User Governor
About

I have been involved in mental health services in Lambeth since 1988. I was treasurer of Lambeth Mind when we ran a shared house for service users with high support needs living in the community, an advice line and a service for women “Women in Mind”. This was at a time when “Community Care” was being ramped up – and in-patient hospital care wound down. In particular the 1000 bed Tooting Bec hospital was closed and developed for housing – replaced for Lambeth residents by the much smaller new-build Lambeth Hospital in Landor Road – now itself to be redeveloped for housing.

Originally an electronic engineer, I moved into admin work in 1990 and worked for 20 years at Lambeth Accord, which provided services for people with disabilities, including providing office space for Community Support Network which provides advocacy support for people who are in-patients (including in SLAM wards) or using community mental health services. I was on the CSN management committee for a number of years.

As a service user, I had actually received a diagnosis at the old Kings College hospital Dept. of Psychological Medicine in 1993, but after a psychotic episode needed in-patient treatment in 1997. I was a Maudsley/SLAM out-patient thereafter – most recently attending the Lambeth Hospital outpatient clinic.

I hope very much that the constant re-configurations of SLAM’s buildings can be made to support better services – both for inpatients and in the community. My fear is that it is developers who are in the driving seat.

Record last modified

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

Global Banner