Foundation Trust
Public Governor Election 2025
We are pleased to announce that the next round of elections to the RUH Council of Governors is due to begin on 8th September. This year we have six vacancies across the City of Bath, North East Somerset, Mendip, North Wiltshire and South Wiltshire constituencies.
It is a challenging time for the NHS, and Governors play a very important role in helping us to focus on what really matters to our patients, their families, and the wider community. We are looking for the contribution of interested, energetic and committed colleagues who are keen to:
- Use their experience, skills and enthusiasm to make a positive difference.
- Be the voice of their community and help to shape the future of our services.
- Build upon their existing knowledge and skills.
Contact the Membership Office on 01225 821262 or via email at RUHmembership@nhs.net to request a Governor Guide and to find out more about the role.
The nomination period is only open for a short amount of time and the deadline for nomination forms is 5pm on 23 September.
The last date for candidate withdrawal is 26 September.
From 8th September you will be able to complete a nomination form on our election website – www.cesvotes.com/RUH2025. If you would prefer to receive a nomination form via post please contact the election administrator using the contact details below:
Email: ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com
Post: Civica Election Services, 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW
Who can become a Governor?
You do need to be a member of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH), but no formal qualifications are required, just enthusiasm, a willingness to ask questions, be open to ideas, and a desire to make a difference by getting involved in your local hospital.
All successful candidates will be provided with an induction as well as ongoing training, development and support to carry out the role effectively.
What does a Governor do?
The role of an RUH Governor is to help ensure the Trust delivers services which meet the needs of patients, carers, staff and local stakeholders. Governors do this by creating stronger links with the communities we serve by reflecting patient and public views and interests and by carrying out some particular duties as defined in the Trust Constitution.
Your key role as a Governor would be to ensure that the views of local people are heard and fed back to the Board of Directors. Governors do not undertake operational management of the Trust; rather they collectively hold the Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board of Directors.
It is not within the Governor remit to deal with patient complaints directly. Governors should signpost member and the public to the correct and appropriate Trust department.
If you are interested in the role but are not yet a member, you can sign up here.
