South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust

Governor Awareness Session 2015

What is South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust?

1st January 2005 - Became a foundation trust

1st July 2011 – Community health services for the Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland Primary Care Trusts transferred to the Trust under the Transforming Community Services Initiative.

We provide:

A full range of acute hospital services

A full range of community based services

Which include:

Acute and Urgent Care Women, Children and Family services

Intermediate Care End of Life and Specialist Palliative Care

Planned Care Learning disabilities, mental health and substance misuse

Key Principles of a Foundation Trust

• Central control X Local ownership • Local influence through ‘membership’• Using ‘freedoms’ to enhance local services• Strengthening partnership working

Chairman

Public Elected (17)

South Tyneside – 9Sunderland - 4Gateshead - 4

Appointed (8)

Clinical Commissioning Groups – 1Local Authorities – 3Voluntary Organisations – 3Higher Education - 1

Staff Elected (6)

Clinical – 4Non Clinical - 2

Public Constituency• People aged 16 and over• Resident of South Tyneside, Sunderland or Gateshead

catchment areas

How are Public Governors selected?

Public Governors are elected from

the public membership, with

9 representatives from South Tyneside

and 4 each from Sunderland and

Gateshead.

Staff ConstituencyOur employees including:-• All staff on a substantive contract• Temporary, Bank or locum staff who have worked for at

least 12 months• Staff who hold an Honorary contract

How are staff Governors selected?

Staff Governors are elected from

within the following categories:-• 2 Non Clinical services• 4 Clinical services

Appointed Governors•1 Governor appointed to represent the Clinical

Commissioning Groups •3 Governors appointed by Local Authorities in

South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland•3 representatives from the voluntary sector - one

each from South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead•1 representative from Higher Education

What do governors do?2006 Act

• Appoint and, if appropriate, remove the chair

• Appoint and, if appropriate, remove the other non-executive directors

• Decide the remuneration and allowances and other terms and conditions of office of the chair and the other non-executive directors;

• Approve (or not) any new appointment of a chief executive;

• Appoint and, if appropriate, remove the NHS foundation Trust’s auditor; and

• Receive the Trust’s annual accounts, any report of the auditor on them, and the annual report.

Amendments to the 2006 Act made by the 2012 Act

• Hold the non-executive directors, individually and collectively, to account for the performance of the board of directors

• Represent the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public

• Approve “significant transactions”

• Approve an application by the trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution

• Decide whether the Trust’s non-NHS work would significantly interfere with its principal purpose, which is to provide goods and services for the health service in England, or performing its other functions and

• Approve amendments to the Trust’s constitution

How do governors do this?

•Attend Council of Governors meetings•Take part in development sessions •Join Working Groups and Project Teams•Take part in Board visiting programme

What do governors NOT do?The Council of Governors is not involved in matters of day-to-day management

such as setting budgets, staffing issues and other operational matters. In addition, it should be noted that:- 

The Council of Governors has no responsibilities in respect of the appointment or removal of the Chief Executive or Executive Directors.

The Council of Governors has a say in forward planning – Directors are to “have regard to” the views of Governors.

The Council of Governors can be consulted and make recommendations. The Council of Governors is required to exercise light oversight – not

supervision. The Council of Governors does not have an inspectorial or investigatory

role. Complaints etc. should be forwarded to the Trust Secretary for investigation as appropriate.

Ongoing support is provided to Governors and members with a dedicated clerk to the Governors to ensure good communication, information and involvement

Supporting Governors

Who are the Board of Directors?

Pat HarleGordon Booth Alan Clarke(Senior Independent Director)

Keith TallintireIain MalcolmAllison Thompson(Acting Vice Chair)

Dr Bob BrownNursing and Patient Safety

Michelle ArrowsmithChief Operating Officer

Ian FramePersonnel and Development

Mike RobsonFinance and Corporate Governance

Dr Alan RodgersMedical Director

Non Executive Directors Executive Team

Peter DavidsonChairman

Steve WilliamsonChief Executive

What does the Board of Directors do?

• Day to day operational management of services

• Strategic direction of the Trust

• Consult the Council of Governors about forward plans and significant service changes

What is the role of Non Executive Directors?

•Ensuring high standards of public integrity and probity•Playing a full part in the management of services and forward planning•Appointing the Chief Executive