A unique opportunity to influence the future of healthcare in the county is now available, as North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is looking for new staff and public governors to join its Governors’ Council.
NCIC manages both acute and community services, including maternity, stroke and A&E services at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital. It also runs community hospitals and community services, some of which are provided on a Countywide footprint. This means there are lots of opportunities to get involved and help shape the future direction of the Trust.
This year, there are 11 Public Constituency vacancies (Allerdale 1, Carlisle 1, Copeland 2, Eden 3, Furness and South Lakeland 3 and North East England and Yorkshire 1) and five Staff Constituency vacancies (Allerdale and Copeland 3, Carlisle and Eden 1 and Furness and South Lakeland 1).
Nominations open on Wednesday, July 9.
Governors attend regular council meetings with members of the board of directors and can get involved in committee meetings and activities such as appointing non- executive directors and attend events such as the opening of our new endoscopy unit at The Cumberland Infirmary.
Staff governor Georgina Craig explained a bit more about the role. She said: “The role provides a great insight into the inner workings of the Board of Directors and creates a route, via the Non-Executive Directors, to question decisions and hold the Executives to account.”
Carlisle Governor Tracy Ward recently attended the NHS Providers
Governor Focus Conference.
She said: “I felt that this was a highly valuable experience. I learned a lot about the direction forward for the NHS and the 10-Year Plan. As a governor I felt valued and part of a national body of volunteers giving their time and expertise to hold those responsible for our health and well- being accountable.
“Governors were seen as part of the solution to issues that trusts faced."
Two online Governor Awareness sessions - – including presentations from the returning officer (CES) and the Trust will take place on July 23 and 30 from 2pm to 3.30pm. The informative sessions will cover the Governor Election Process and the overall role and responsibilities of a Governor.
Link for Wednesday 23rd July Join the meeting now
Link for Wednesday 30th July Join the meeting now
Deadline for submission of completed nomination forms is 5pm on Wednesday 6 August. The notice of poll/election will be published on Thursday, August 28 and the election will close on September 23. Results will be declared on September 24 and governors will start their new roles on October 1.
For more information visit: www.cesvotes.com/NCIC2025This year’s Annual Members Meeting will be held on September 29 at Carlisle People First from 1.30pm to 4pm.