Medical Matters: Help shape the future of our NHS

I care about our NHS. It has looked after me, looked after my family, and I wanted to give something back when I retired which is why I put forward my name to become a governor and I am so glad I did. 

I am proud to be an elected governor and I am now in my third year in this role.

Being a governor allows me to hold the Trust’s board of directors to account, to raise issues on behalf of our members and the wider community, share people’s experiences of our NHS and to help improve or enhance our service for others. 

I also get to work with people who are passionate about health and who are committed to helping us improve the healthcare we receive here in Torbay and South Devon.

It is an interesting role and gives real insight into the workings of the NHS. But you don’t have to be a governor to have a say into how health is delivered locally, all are welcome to become a member of the Trust.

We have around 15,500 active members, including approximately 6,000 staff members. 

It is free and is one of the best ways of finding out what is going on in our acute hospital and community services.

We are always looking for new members, especially younger members of our community as their views on how health is delivered is absolutely vital. 

Membership is open to anyone above the age of fourteen and gives you access to regular updates on significant events through Trust publications and talks; consultation on major health service developments that affect you locally; presentations from clinical experts; information about job opportunities and apprenticeships and discounts on a range of goods and services.

So please join!

Your elected governors also run a series of Medicine for Members events throughout the year which focuses on health matters which are important to the local community. 

One of these events takes place this month and will explore heart health.

Dr Naing KoKo is a consultant cardiologist and will hold a free health talk on Tuesday, April 29. 

Naing will answer any questions you may have about heart health including how to look after your heart, testing and screening, cardiac procedures as well as how to restart a heart.

The doors open for refreshments at 5pm, the talk will take place between 5.30pm and 6.30pm and it is taking place at the Torbay Research and Education Centre, known as TREC, at Torbay Hospital; you can also watch this online if you are unable to attend in person.

You are welcome to come along on the day, or register with our Foundation Trust office for more details or to ask for a live stream link.

I will also be there along with other governors, so if you are able to attend in person, please feel free to seek me out if you are interested in learning more about what we do as governors; you will also be able to sign-up to the Foundation Trust membership at this event. 

It is really important that the voices and views of our community are represented, so I urge you all to join the Foundation Trust and consider becoming a governor; this is an important way to support you, your family and your community. 

You can find out more about the council of governors or becoming a Trust member on our website: Council of Governors - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. I hope to see you at one of our events, very soon.