A unique opportunity to influence the future of healthcare in the county is now available, as North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is looking for new staff and public governors to join its Governors’ Council.

There are 10 Public Constituency vacancies (Allerdale 2, Carlisle 2, Copeland 2, Eden 1, Furness and South Lakeland 2 and North East England and Yorkshire 1) and five Staff Constituency vacancies (Allerdale and Copeland 2, Carlisle and Eden 2 and Furness and South Lakeland 1).

NCIC manages both acute and community services, including maternity, stroke and A&E services at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital.  It also runs community hospitals and community services, some of which are provided on a Countywide footprint. This means there are lots of opportunities to get involved and help shape the future direction of the Trust. 

Governors attend regular council meetings with members of the board of directors and can get involved in committee meetings and activities such as appointing non executive directors and attend events such as our recent heart centre opening and the start of building work at our new Community Diagnostic Centre.  Over this summer, Governors will also be involved in gathering views from the community about our services as we start to develop our new clinical strategy.

The role description includes:

  • Hold the non-executive directors to account for the performance of the board of directors
  • Appoint, remove and decide the terms of office, including remuneration, of the chairman and other non-executive directors
  • Appoint or remove the Trust’s external auditors
  • Review the annual accounts, auditor’s report and annual report
  • Express a view on the board of directors’ forward plans 
  • Represent the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole

Steven Morgan, chairman at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Governors have an important role to play in helping to shape and monitor the Trust’s services.

“They are information conduits informing their constituents about what is happening in the Trust and informing Trust management about what the public thinks about our service and our plans and initiatives. They are appointed to represent the interests and views of our members and of the public.

“Governors bring valuable insights and experiences to our services and ensure that the NHS is accountable to its local population.”

For information about vacancies in your area, what is involved in being a governor, the role of the Governor’s Council and how to submit your nomination go to www.cesvotes.com/NCIC2024 where you will also find details of how to join an online information session being held on Friday, 19th July 2024 from 3pm to 4pm. 

Deadline for submission of completed nomination forms is 5pm on Friday, 2nd August 2024.

Assistance to complete your nomination form is available from the Returning Officer by Email at ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com, or call 020 8889 9203.