Governors: Making a Difference - FTGA Presentation

1. Presentation Foundation Trust Governors’ Association Development Day ‘MAKING A DIFFERENCE’ Marilyn Boggust March 23rd 2010 Making A Difference

2. Presentation Introduction • The FTGA has been in existence for 3 years. Last year we commissioned a research project to identify the learning that Governors have accumulated during that time. • The qualitative research project involved interviewing 46 Foundation Trust Governors. 39 Public, 5 Partner and 2 staff Governors from FTs across the country • A semi-structured questionnaire was used and confidential telephone interviews undertaken. A report has been complied outlining the findings from the research. • During today’s presentation we will share the key themes from the research and illustrate these with some practical examples of how Governors are making a difference.

3. Presentation Making A Difference Six Key Areas Governors are involved in a range of activities, the following six areas are where Governors are particularly making a difference:- • Involvement in quality improvement • Reconfiguring services • Appointing Chairs and Non Executive Directors • Recruiting and communicating with members • Participation in trust committees • Building external relationships

4. Presentation Making A Difference • Involvement in quality improvement • Quality Committees • Ward quality visits • PEAT Teams • Patient/User Groups • Trust Board Quality indicators/information • Care Quality Commission

5. Presentation Involvement in Quality Improvement • PEAT Inspections – raised profile and made improvements • Choose and Book Appointment System – problems identified and improvement made • Seeing the service through the ‘patients eyes’‘ – Governors ‘attached’ to departments • Campaign to improve access at local railway station

6. Presentation Making A Difference • Reconfiguring Services • Strategic planning/development days with the whole board • Trust Priorities – e.g. Quality, Finance • Clinical quality issues - driving changes • Communication with members about reconfiguring services

7. Presentation Reconfiguring Services • Public consultation to develop a new £5 million Children's Unit  • Participation in a joint group with the PCT to develop a local strategy for people with dementia • Involvement in a public campaign to prevent the closure of a maternity unit in a local cottage hospital • Events for the public to review plans for new hospital development   • Involved in reviewing the plans for a new acute mental health unit • Included in project team for new ITU and Critical Care Unit

8. Presentation Making A Difference • Appointing and Remunerating Chairs and Non-Executive Directors • Governors value leading on this statutory role • Improves relationships between Governors and NEDs • Nominations and Remuneration Committee • Role of Lead Governor • Being clear about the recruitment process • Clarifying skills and experience needed by the board • Advertising, interviewing, agreeing remuneration

9. Presentation Appointing and Remunerating Chairs and Non-Executive Directors • Lead Governor - Vice-chair of the Council of Governors - better informed and have input into agreeing the agenda for the Council of Governors meetings • Governors lead the appointment process of new Chairman and Non-Executive Directors - process locally owned • Identifying skills - recruited a NED from a marketing background - improved the position of the Trust in the local media • Training for Governors - confidence in the robustness of our recruitment procedures and processes

10. Presentation Making A Difference • Recruiting and Communicating with Members • Important role – time consuming • Events – targeted events e.g. Young people • Going out to the community e.g. Community groups • Combined events – clinical presentations • Newsletters • Website • Value of Trust Secretary, Membership Secretary

11. Presentation Recruiting and Communicating with Members • Members’ Magazine and dedicated website for members • Making the hospital part of the local community – going out to local organisations • Focused events – Simulation centre for children – increased membership of young people • Listening events – specific questions about how to improve the Trust

12. Presentation Making A Difference • Participation in Trust Committees • Wide range of different committees/groups – internal and external • Shared committee membership – Board of Directors and Governors • Utilise the backgrounds and skills of Governors • Helps to ‘see services through the patients eyes’ • Improves relationships

13. Presentation Participation in Trust Committees • Patient Experience Committee - improvements to the Trust’s complaint process and developing patient information booklets • Transport Strategy Group - parking for patients, families and disabled people to ensure they have a ‘fair deal’ • Patient Experience Group - obtaining patients views whilst they are in hospital. • Trust’s Volunteers Forum - booklet for patients which explains all the voluntary services that are available

14. Presentation Two Examples of Utilising Governor’s Skills • Background in quality assurance in higher education - involved in ward quality audits 'I came away from the review thinking that my experience in one sector was transferable to the NHS and that I had added some value to the process as a lay person bringing a fresh perspective.’ • Background as a TV journalist - instrumental in developing a DVD about the Trust and a training DVD for staff

15. Presentation Making A Difference • Building External Relationships • PCTs, Community Groups, Social Services, NGOs • Brings a broader perspective to the Governor’s role • Strengthens relationships

16. Presentation Building External Relationships • Working jointly with Directors and PCTs to influence the decision to retain two local PCTs • ‘Vision for Health’ – involvement in the PCT’s strategy consultation process • Joint Trust/PCT group for implementing the national framework for Long-Term Conditions • Collaboration with external agencies to improve mental health services for people from black and ethnic minority groups

17. Making A Difference What Helps Governors To Be Effective:- • Support from Chair and Chief Executive • Induction and training to develop Governors in their roles • Relevant and regular information • Shared away days with the Board of Directors • Joint working on Committees with Directors and NEDs • Opportunities to utilize their skills and interests • Effective Trust systems and processes e.g. effective committee structures • A Lead Governor • Administrative help from a Trust and/or Membership Secretary

18. Making A Difference Summary • Governors find their role interesting, enjoyable, varied and challenging. They are involved in a wide range of different activities • There is still some ambiguity around the role of Governors - new Governors need time and help to ‘fit’ into the role and become effective • How effective Governors are in their role is influenced by a number of factors including the culture, systems and processes in the Trust, as well as the skills and experience that Governors have • Our research demonstrates that Governors can be very effective in their role and are making a real difference to patient care • Sharing and learning from each other is key

19. THANK YOU