We shall shortly be having elections to our Membership Council.
 

There will be three vacancies for staff membership councillors. These will be in the nurses/midwives, allied healthcare professionals and ancillary groups. Chris Bentley, Avril Henson and Liz Farnell previously held these posts.
 

As representatives of their staff group, membership councillors get to attend high profile meetings and can help to influence and shape the way forward for CHFT. They get to go on walkabouts around other departments and really get a great understanding of how the Trust operates. You will need to get your manager's support if you are interested as you will need to attend meetings but these are not too frequent.
 

Nominations will open in June, voting will take place over the summer and the results of the newcomers will be announced at the end of August.
 

Matron for Estates and Facilities and Corporate, Chris Bentley, said: "I have been a membership councillor now for over 6 years and have relished the role and how the Membership Council can help influence the patient experience and how the Trust runs its business. I have met so many interesting people who make up the publicly elected Membership Council along with getting to work more closely with the executive and non-executive team of directors.
 

"There are opportunities to learn and develop new skills and the commitment required can be as little or as much as you want it to be - however there are a few meetings we must attend each year. The membership office, which includes Vanessa Henderson and Ruth Mason, are very supportive and I am very sorry my time has now come to an end.
 

"If you are passionate about CHFT and the patients we serve and maybe wish to raise your profile then please put yourself forward for nomination. It doesn’t matter what your role is but passion is a must!"
 

If you want more information please check out the intranet or contact Vanessa in the membership office on ex 3742 at HRI. Vanessa said: "Chris, Avril and Liz have contributed an enormous amount in their time on the council. They have been energetic and enthusiastic supporters of the Trust and we now need three people to step into their shoes and continue the good work."