Introducing Your Partner Governors

I am Head of Adult Nursing at the University of Derby, and an Adult Nurse with a background in Palliative and End of Life Care.

I’m currently studying a PhD, which includes primary research looking at the experiences of pre-registration nursing students in caring for patients and their loved ones, as they reach palliative and end of life phase of their illness.

Being a partner governor allows me to support the local Trust and share good practice, but also contribute to the Trust;s success in a meaningful way. Many of our students take up qualified nursing posts and this is an opportunity to support them in their onward journey too.

I have had the privilege of being a Governor since February 2020 - just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the pressures of COVID-19 faced by the NHS and Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS FT, my orientation to become a Governor was welcoming and I was pleased to volunteer as a representative of the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Health and Medicine. 

My role as a Governor offers the opportunity for me to ‘give something back’ to the NHS, as well as represent our fantastic students and placement learning. 

My background is in nursing, including critical care and palliative care. I am currently a lecturer in older people and care, with a research interest in palliative and end-of-life care. I am particularly interested in exploring how services can meet the needs of older people, as well as support people to make decisions about their care. 

The role of Chesterfield Royal Hospital Foundation Trust in the partnership working toward integrated care and Joined Up Care Derbyshire is particularly exciting and innovative and I look forward to seeing this work develop.

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I’ve been a governor since the beginning of 2022. I wanted to become a Governor because I wanted to know more about Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, including having a better understanding of the work being carried out by the hospital, as well as the services it offers to my residents.

After graduating from university with a law degree, I worked for a couple of MPs in PR and political campaigning, now working for Marketing Nottingham. In addition to this, I’m an elected county councillor for the Sutton Division at Derbyshire County Council. All this experience means I can bring a sound understanding of communications and working with the media.

It’s vital for organisations like Chesterfield Royal Hospital to get their messaging right, both internally and externally to build trust and operate effectively. I hope to bring these skills and experiences to the trust through my role.

I am currently a Cabinet Member of Bolsover District Council, whose responsibilty covers Environmental Health and Street Services. It is a part of this role that I became a Partner Governor for Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS FT in 2020.

As an Independent Local Councillor, I am used to both representing and advocating on behalf of my constituents, always with the sole aim of fighting for the best outcomes for local people. I adopt a similar stance as a Governor at the Trust.

I am a mother of eight, and a grandmother of 4 (so far!), which makes me passionate about supporting only the best outcome for patients and their families whenever they need to attend Chesterfield Royal Hospital, or the Trust's services.

As a Governor, I hope to work alongside my fellow Governors to ensure continual improvements are made to health services provided at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS FT.

I have worked in the Voluntary Sector, at the Voluteer Centre, for 27 years where I have been behind some of the Centre’s innovative projects for young and elderly people.

The Centre worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic as we provided a shopping service for those on the shielded list or forced to socially isolate.

I enjoy writing and photography and, for my sins, I am a season ticket holder with Chesterfield FC.

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