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Community Engagement Update
January 2024
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Campaign begins to recruit new Governors |
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 Do you have an interest in your local hospital? Are you passionate about listening to people and making sure patients’ voices are heard when decisions are made? If yes, you could apply to be a Public Governor.
The Trust has a number of committed governors coming to the end of their terms of office, so there are a total of 12 Public Governor seats available – eight in Medway and four in Swale. The nomination stage opens on Tuesday 5 March, and closes on Wednesday 20 March. Terms will begin on 1 July 2024, and last for three years.
Anyone who is a member of the Trust can stand as a governor for the constituency in which they live. Membership is free and residents must be 16 or over to apply.
What do Governors do?
Ideal candidates would be people with an interest in learning more about the Trust and the local health system, and engaging with the local community and patients. The most important role of governors is to represent those views, helping to ensure that the patient voice is heard. They are supported to do this through regular events and activities which are organised and facilitated by our Engagement Team.
Governors also attend quarterly Council of Governors meetings, and the Annual Members’ Meeting. They are also invited to sit on various committees. Governors are not paid a salary, but are entitled to claim reasonable travel expenses.
Mark Spragg, Acting Chair, said: "Governors play a crucial role and it is vital that we have a strong and dedicated team who can ensure that local people are represented at the highest level. We ask you to commit eight to 10 hours a month and in return you will receive training and support to help you fulfil the requirements of the role.
"I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be interested and suitable to consider applying when nominations open in spring."
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Here’s what two of our Public Governors had to say about being a Governor: |
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Jay Patel, Public Governor for Swale since 2022:
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“Serving as a governor is not only a civic duty, but a chance to make a positive impact on the well-being of individuals within our community.
“The Public Governor position has allowed me to advocate for the community's health needs and bridge the gap between the hospital and its surrounding population.”
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Tim Newman, Public Governor for Medway since 2021:
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“Having lived in Medway since 1965, I care passionately about the amazing work that is done at Medway Maritime Hospital. I wanted to help influence the services they provide and to make sure that the point of view of local people was heard and acknowledged. I am there to make sure that my local hospital works for the people who use it - the people of Medway and Swale."
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Find out more
An information session is being held for anyone interested in finding out more about the election process and the role of Public Governor.
This will take place on Wednesday 13 March at 5pm in the Trafalgar Conference Suite at Medway Maritime Hospital. For further details or to book a place, please contact our Membership Office: met-tr.members-medway@nhs.net.
We will also be holding engagement stands over the next few weeks, both at the hospital and in the community - details of these are on our Governor and Engagement Events page.
More information about the elections is available on our website.
If you have any further questions, please email the Membership Office at met-tr.members-medway@nhs.net or call us on 01634 825292.
Could you support us in promoting the Public Governor vacancies? We have a poster available for display in public areas, to help us reach as many people in the community as possible. If your organisation could display a poster, please get in touch and we will arrange to send as many as you need to you. Thank you.
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Public Governor engagement sessions
- Wednesday 31 January, 11am to 1pm, main entrance, Medway Maritime Hospital
- Wednesday 7 February, 11am to 2pm, at Pentagon Shopping Centre
- Tuesday 20 February, 10am to 12pm, at Sheppey Gateway, Sheerness
- Wednesday 28 February, 10am to 12pm, at Sheppey Community Hospital
- Nominations open for Public Governors 5 to 20 March.
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Quality Priorities: Sharing your views on where we most need to improve in 2024 |
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At our Quality Priorities event on 10 January 2024, our first public event of the year, we asked patients and the people of Medway and Swale what they thought our priorities should be to improve care in 2024.
The meeting heard about progress against last year’s Quality Priorities and discussion moved towards what the priorities should be for 2024/25 under three key areas: Safe, Effective and Person-Centred Care.
Feedback will help us agree our Quality Priorities for the coming year. Our thanks to all who attended.
More information about the Quality Priorities event is available on our website.
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Help shape womens' health services in Kent and Medway |
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Whether it’s periods, pregnancy or menopause, women and those born female have unique health conditions.
A national Women’s Health Strategy has been launched to help to put more support in place, and in Kent and Medway the NHS is keen to hear from people to help develop a local approach to women’s health and wellbeing.
A series of focus groups to help clinicians understand how women’s health and wellbeing can be better supported are in the planning stage.
If you want to be kept informed about these, please email kmicb.engage@nhs.net
You can also have your say by completing this survey.
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Medway Change Makers is an arts and cultural volunteering programme for Medway, connecting local people with events based volunteering opportunities with cultural events and organisations in their communities.
Their aim is to break down the barriers to traditional volunteering opportunities, and help people find ways of donating their time in a way that works for them.
If you want to find out more, email: maria@ideastest.co.uk
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Eastern Sheppey Community Hub is running chair based exercises for anyone over 55 years old. It can increase your strength and flexibility, co-ordination, circulation and improve your confidence and self esteem.
It starts on Thursday 1 February, 9:30am to 10am. Every class afterwards will run from 9:30am to 10:30am.
To participate you can email:
Emma@biglocaleasternsheppey.com
Isabella@biglocaleasternsheppey.com
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Calling all quizzers!
 This is your chance to show off your knowledge and have fun in a friendly competition, while raising money to support patients and staff at Medway Maritime Hospital.
- Teams of up to eight people
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Bring your own drinks (non alcoholic) and nibbles
- £6 per person
Join us on Friday 22 March, from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Below Deck Dining Room (Level 1, Purple Zone) at Medway Maritime Hospital Windmill Road, Gillingham, ME7 5NY
To book, please email: medwayft.charity@nhs.net
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Organ donation is the gift of life.
Grab some time to talk about it today with loved ones and add your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
This is the official record which specialist nurses check if a person dies in circumstances where organ donation is possible, so it’s important to register your decisions here and share them with the people you love.
Recording your decision takes just a couple of minutes online – click here to do it: https://bit.ly/4169cXu |
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