The Board meets bi-monthly. Its role is to set overall strategy for the Trust, including approving major plans and policies and setting budgets, and monitoring operational performance against local and national standards and targets.
The Board comprises Executive Directors (full time Trust employees) and Non-Executive Directors (currently appointed by the NHS (Improvement).
Public service values are at the heart of the NHS and Trust Boards play a critical role in shaping and exemplifying an organisational culture that is open, accountable, compassionate, and puts patients first. Respect, compassion and care are at the centre of good leadership and governance in the NHS, and organisational and personal interests must never be allowed to outweigh the duty to be honest, open and truthful with patients and the public. All directors are therefore expected to:
- Understand and commit to the personal behaviours, values, technical competence and business practices outlined in “The Standards for Members of NHS Boards and Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Bodies in England” produced by the Professional Standards Authority
- Reflect the standards of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership set out in the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles);
- Be honest, open and truthful in all dealings with patients and the public; and uphold the policies and procedures adopted by the Trust, in so far as they are applicable to their roles. Trust Policy GP01 “Corporate Governance” is particularly relevant in this regard.
The meetings are currently taking place virtually until further notice.
The agenda and supporting papers for each meeting are normally available above, a few days before the scheduled meeting date.
Meetings of the Board are open to members of the public and press, but please note:
- Members of the public and press may attend to observe, but not to speak
- There is an opportunity towards the end of the meeting to ask the Directors questions about topics discussed during the meeting
- You can take written notes of the meeting, but cannot record the proceedings in other ways.
A small number of confidential items of business, for example about individual members of staff, or contract negotiations, are discussed during a confidential Board session after the public session has ended. The agenda and papers for this part of the meeting are not available to the public, and the press and public are not allowed to observe these proceedings.
The Board maintains an appropriate balance between strategic matters and supervising the management of the Trust. To assist in this, the Board has established several committees with specific remits, which are summarised below. The committees meet on a regular basis and after every meeting the committee chair prepares a report for the next meeting of the Board, to whom committee minutes are also presented for information in due course.
Audit Committee
The aims of this Committee are to provide the Board with an independent and objective review of its financial systems, financial information, risk management and compliance with laws, guidance and regulations governing the NHS. The Committee oversees the work of the local counter fraud specialist, security, and the work of internal and external audit.
Quality Governance Assurance Committee
The Quality Governance Assurance Committee provides assurance to the Board that patient care is of the highest achievable standard and in accordance with all statutory and regulatory requirements. It also provides assurance of proactive management and early detection of risks across the Trust.
Performance and Finance Committee
This Committee provides assurance to the Board on the effective financial and external performance targets of the organisation and also supports the development implementation and delivery of the medium term financial plan and the efficient use of financial resources.
Remuneration Committee
The purpose of this Committee is to advise the Board about appropriate remuneration and terms of service for the Chief Executive and other Executive Directors.
Charitable Funds Committee
The aim of this Committee is to administer the Trust’s charitable funds in accordance with any statutory or other legal requirements or best practice required by the Charity Commission.
Trust Management Committee
The Trust Management Committee provides a formal platform for the major decision making process for the clinical and non-clinical operations, and as such is attended by all of the Executive Directors, together with Divisional Medical Directors and heads of service.
