SOUTHERN Health NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disabilities, and community services, has a vacancy for a public governor in the North Hampshire constituency, which covers Basingstoke as well as Petersfield, Fleet and Alton.

Governors are members of the trust's Council of Governors and provide a link between the public and the trust board that connects the trust with the ideas, feedback and concerns of local people.

Their role is to represent views and ask questions on behalf of people living in the constituencies they represent, to support service users, and to shape how the trust, which runs Parklands Hospital, develops.

Speaking about the role, David Lee, who has been a governor for Southern Health for two years, said: “With my background as a doctor and a patient, I want the NHS to achieve the best. I am also chairman of a GP Patient Participation Group and want to encourage and assist with more patient participation work in the trust.”

Sue Smith, who is in her ninth year as a Governor for the Trust, adds: “I became a governor because I really wanted to help people get the right service. I can signpost them to the best service and help them get the care they need.

“Being a governor has enabled me to see things from a different perspective, and meet people who share similar passions. We work together and share information, which improves the support for patients.”

Nominations for the governor elections are open until 5pm on Wednesday, 16 May.

After nominations there may be a vote, after which the successful candidates will be announced at the end of June.

For a nominations pack, contact Ciara Norris on 0208 889 9203, or visit ersvotes.com/southernhealth2018