Governance Survey 2024
Councils of governers
Support
- Two in five (39%) respondents said that they would benefit from additional support to maximise the effectiveness of their council of governors, which is lower than last year (47%). Just over a quarter (26%) said that they would not, up from a fifth last year (21%) and 10% said they did not know, similar to last year (7%).
If yes, please tell us more about what additional support would be helpful:
- Members emphasised the need for clearer guidance and consistent support as trusts adapt to system working and evolving partnership models. Many respondents expressed interest in understanding the responsibilities of governors within this context, with a number specifically mentioning the need to understand the governor role in group models. A few mentioned concerns regarding governors feeling a restricted sense of power, which can lead to disengagement, and called for strategies to better empower governors.
- Many respondents found NHS Providers' courses beneficial and expressed interest in expanding the range of available resources. Suggestions included creating a list of support options, more tailored online sessions, and resources focused on navigating the role of governors in systems.
It is always helpful to help our CoG understand its position and responsibilities. As we move towards system working then it would be helpful for them to understand how this will effect [sic] the trust and what influence and involvement they will have.
In respect of their duties and responsibilities in relation to the integration work.
Support around the changes that group governance will bring to the role of the governors, and how changes in the role of regulator impact on FT freedoms and the role of governors.
Councils and systems
As the only FT within our system, it is sometimes a case of reminding other partner organisations of the governors existence, let alone statutory responsibilities, and the potential benefit this could bring the ICS in tapping into the trust's wider membership.
Met with governors from the other FT within our provider collaborative.
We discuss system issues with governors at CoG meetings.