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Our Council of Governors acts as a link between service users, carers, staff, the general public and the Trust's Board of Directors.
They support the Board of Directors in setting the long-term vision for our organisation, and hold the non-executive directors to account for the actions of the Board. Our Board of Directors has a duty to consult, and listen to the views of, the Council of Governors.
I have been a mental health service user for 16 years, 10 of which I spent consecutively inpatient in a variety of wards and hospitals from acute and PICU wards to specialist services and low secure. Since being discharged in 2013, I have used ongoing outpatient services as well as having many shorter ‘crisis’ admissions all across the Trust.
My experiences meant I have seen some of the best and the worst bits of the mental health system. It surprised me how shockingly different practices can be.
I have been part of Agenda’s Campaign for Change, which led in part to Seni’s Law being passed in 2018, to reduce the use of force in mental health hospitals. I also recently joined in Shelter’s campaign to end discrimination against DSS tenants, a problem that can leave many of us using the Trust's services, who cannot work, facing homelessness. Part of this campaign involved presenting to a select committee into the issue in parliament.
I tell my story, or parts of it in Trust training, sharing what helped and am currently a service user representative on the trustwide Mental Health Law Committee.
I am passionate about better mental health care for all and representing the voice and rights of those who use this service.
If you have a question for your governors, please email governors@slam.nhs.uk
The Council of Governors is made up of:
The Council's responsibilities include:
The governors review includes information about the role of governors and their activities over the preceding year:
Governors review 2020-21 (PDF)
Governors are elected to the Council of Governors from the public, service user, carer and staff constituencies. Elected governors serve a three-year term on the Council of Governors. Governors are also appointed by partner organisations.
If you are interested in becoming a governor, vacancies will be advertised here or you can contact us to find our more via governors@slam.nhs.uk