Join Oxford Health trust and have your say on care

A governor with a health trust is urging people to have their say on their experiences with the National Health Service.

Chris Roberts from Thame has been on the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s council of governors for three years.

Elections of governors to serve on the trust’s council take place next month and Mr Roberts, whose day job is as an accountant is urging people to get involved.

He said: “I became involved after a relative had a psychiatric episode.

“After my experience with the trust I wanted to give feedback.

“The governors meet every quarter and they hold the trust to account.

“We have been able to raise subjects that concern people.

“Staff retention and being able to access services out of area are very important issues to people.

“I have found being a governor a very eye-opening experience.”

He added: “I have been plesantly surprised that, although the trust offers many services and is quite complex, it is not bureaucratic and I feel that my voice does get heard.”

There are vacancies for governors in both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The council includes a chairperson and 35 governors who bring views of the public, patients and staff to the management. To find out more visit www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/about-us/governance.

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