Lead Governor Kathy Elliot describes her highlights for 2023/24

Our governors are the guardians of our mission and values, and they help us achieve our objectives.

Our Lead Governor Kathy Elliot recently spoke at our Annual Members’ Meeting and described her highlights for 2023/24. A summarised version of her speech follows.

“I’ve been a Governor for over three years (now in my second term), nominated by Voluntary Action Camden to represent the local Voluntary and Community Sector. 

I live in Camden and my professional background is in public health. 

Over the past year I’ve had roles in national public health; as Vice Chair and lead for a working group on health inequalities in VAC; and as a patient in my general practice.

The Governor role is a unique governance role, done by volunteers. Public Governors are elected by members. Staff Governors are also elected. Stakeholder Governors are put forward by the stakeholder group or organisation that they are representing.

For me ‘the core of the role’ is holding the Board to account – asking the questions that an interested member of the public might ask. It is adding a layer of public scrutiny to the work of NHS Foundation Trusts.

Governors all have a deep interest in the work of the Tavistock and Portman. They bring different interests and experiences to their role. 

For me, as lead Governor, I’ve had many highlights this year:

A new programme of service visits which we have done with Non-Executive Directors. Governors come to the role with different experiences and knowledge of all of the parts of the work of the Trust. These visits have helped us learn or update our understanding of the current work and challenges.

This year Governors were given the opportunity to observe Board Committees.  There is now one or two Governors on all of our Board Committees. It is early days but we hope that this will enable Governors to understand more deeply how the Non-Executive Directors are scrutinising and supporting specific areas of governance.  They are adding their views to the reports coming to the Council of Governors with the aim of improving how we do our role.

Along with one of the staff Governors, I am an observer of the Quality and Safety Committee which is chaired by Claire Johnson. I’ve been encouraged to see how the Trust has updated polices and supported staff to use these as living documents to tackle concerns and challenges. Actions are seen through and learning is being captured and ways found to support staff to improve services. 

I’m learning from the issues and questions that fellow Governors who are on other committees are bringing back to the Council of Governors.

This year we have spent time understanding and providing development opportunities for Governors. I’ve valued the sessions offered by NHS Providers, learning from Governors in other Trusts and experts in the role.  

I’ve done sessions on holding Non-Executive Directors to Account; briefing on the NHS; and attended the Annual Conference where there was information on best practice. In these sessions they always highlight the importance of relationships and listening to different perspectives.

This year we have held informal sessions where Governors can ask questions or discuss issues, which there may not be time for in formal meetings and joint workshops between Governors and Non-Executive Directors. We hold regular meetings including 1-1 meetings with the Chair and Chief Executive.

Specific roles of Governors, such as the nomination committee; the appraisal of the Chair; and the statement on quality and safety have all been done and supported.

All of the developments and ways of working have been particularly important as the Trust implemented the new strategy and planned for the future, including a potential merger.

Finally, my thanks again to members, Governors and staff who have contributed to sustaining and strengthening the work of the Trust over the past year.  I look forward to working with you as we contribute to change in both the Trust and the NHS as a whole”

We have three different categories of governor; public, staff and stakeholder. Governors have an important role to play, although they are not responsible for the day-to-day running of the trust, and cannot veto decisions made by the board. Find out more here.