ASK A GOVERNOR

ASK A GOVERNOR

When plans are being made for the future of your health care there’s a team of volunteers working tirelessly to make sure your voice is heard. We shine the spotlight on Mersey Care’s governors and ask what they can do for you.

Sean Doherty (above): Staff Governor, support worker, homelessness outreach volunteer and lifelong Everton Fan.

MC: SEAN, WHAT DOES A GOVERNER DO?

SD: We hold the people who run our health services to account. Our responsibility is to ask questions and seek assurance that strategic decisions are right for the people we serve.

We're a critical friend, we have direct contact with the Board of Directors. We have a strategic overview of what's happening both now and with future plans - and we can and do challenge decisions.

MC: ARE YOU PART OF THE ORGANISATIONS?

SD: No, Governers are volunteers so we're independent and not part of the management. We have the power to challenge some decisions or reject a proposal if we feel it’s not right.

MC: WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME TO YOU FOR HELP?

SD: I will act on what you tell me. I may not know the answer, but I can and will ask questions at the highest level and give you an honest answer and explanation. I've raised issues in the past and I've always had a full response.

MC: WHY DID YOU BECOME A GOVERNOR?

SD: I work for the Trust, so I wanted to listen to staff and raise their concerns with Board members. We’re expanding and building new hospitals. If we want quality services we need to recruit and retain staff and look after them.

MC: HAVE YOU DONE THAT RECENTLY?

SD: Yes, I raised a query about a proposed change which would have an impact on certain staff. Those managing the change took my concerns seriously and explained the decision, which reassured the people affected.

MC: DO YOU GET FRUSTRATED WHEN THINGS DON’T HAPPEN QUICKLY?

SD: Of course. Answers don’t always come back as quickly as people may want, but there are processes to go through and while you’re investigating you still have to operate. I don’t think people always appreciate that.

MC: WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU’VE DONE RECENTLY?

SD: Being involved in appointing the new Trust Chair. Governors must approve all non executive director posts and I’m delighted we have Rosie Cooper as our Chair, she challenges ideas.

Sean Doherty Staff Governor.

Sean Doherty (above): Staff Governor, support worker, homelessness outreach volunteer and lifelong Everton fan.

MC: HILARY, WHY ARE YOU SO KEEN TO REPRESENT SERVICE USERS AND CARERS?

HT: I’m a carer myself and I’m involved with lots of carer groups and forums. I’m in touch with the people I represent so I can hear their concerns and take them directly to the top.

MC: IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP TO GET AN APPOINTMENT CAN YOU DO THAT?

HT: We can’t act for individuals, but if someone comes to us with general questions about a service, we can go in at top level and say, ‘we’ve heard this, can you tell us more’? We make sure information coming from Board members matches with what we’re hearing on the ground.

MC: WHY ARE GOVERNORS SO VALUABLE TO PEOPLE WHO USE SERVICES OR WORK FOR MERSEY CARE?

HT: We’re in a unique position to look and act on what we see. We can ask the questions the person in the street wants

to know and then push for change if they need to. Big decisions, like the acquisition of other organisations, can’t happen until we agree.

MC: WHAT CHANGES HAVE THE GOVERNORS HELPED BRING ABOUT RECENTLY?

HT: There was a backlog in phlebotomy services after lockdown, people were struggling to get appointments. Governors took their concerns to the Board, and they responded by introducing evening appointments.

We also successfully advocated for a pilot of a new mental health therapy to become permanent, after hearing how much it had benefited patients.

MC: WHAT ARE YOU MOST PLEASED ABOUT?

HT: How we’ve worked as a team with the Board to make our services more holistic, looking at the whole person and bringing mental and physical health services together – it’s now happening quickly in Mersey Care.

Meet our governors and find out how they can help you at: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/about-us/council-governors

Marie Da Silva Bleasdale: Mum, volunteer, Service User and Carer Governor.

I’m a service user and carer governor. Luckily I have had a wealth of experience. I was a carer for my mother, and I’ve used mental health services myself.

You should never stop learning; being a governor has helped my confidence. You’re part of a team, you’re accountable and those around you listen to your point of view.

I see governors as part of a jigsaw that enables the organisation to grow and improve. If you like a challenge and enjoy helping people a governor role could be for you.

Hilary Tetlow (right): Former buyer in fashion retail, carer, voluntary sector campaigner and Service User and Carer Governor.

Hilary Tetlow, Service User and Carer Governor.