Halton governors
Peter Hollett – Public Governor for Halton
Having served initial period it seems only right to attempt to enhance all that has been imparted to me via the Trust’s training programme.
We all have endured so many years of upheaval together with so many needing to alter ‘routines’ hopefully only to produce better ‘routines’ ahead.
We have also the heralding of what combining Health and Social Care together will produce in terms of patient satisfaction all round wellbeing to move towards an Actual Health Service rather than only an ‘illness’ service. Hopefully all flourish and do well with wholehearted ways which we have here.
I for one am confident from what have seen up to now this Trust will grow in strengths, providing all impetus to ensuring roots, branches are nurtured well.
Warrington governors
Matthew Machin – Public Governor for Warrington
I live in Warrington with my wife and our teenage daughter. Our daughter has complex special needs and we therefore make use of a range of different services from a number of NHS trusts.
Through Bridgewater she receives a number of services ranging from wheelchair services to speech and language therapy.
I applied to become a governor so that I can give something back to the NHS, which has provided great service to us over many years.
I think it’s particularly important that patients are given the opportunity to actively shape the care that they receive.
I’m keen to ensure that the voice of patients and other members of the public are heard when setting future directions for the Trust.
Andrew Mortimer – Public Governor for Warrington
I have lived in the same Warrington area since infancy and retired in 2013.
Having worked in initially in branch banking and then taxation.
I believe integrity is a very important attribute and when I consider a need arises am prepared to ask questions and offer challenge.
Kevin Goucher – Public Governor for Warrington
Originally from Birmingham, I am married with two children and three grand children who keep me very occupied.
I retired in 2011 after 50 years in the retail trade.
From my mid-twenties I spent my career in Senior Management rising to Buying Director in several major high street groups.
When I retired I wanted to do something that gave back to my adopted home here in Warrington, so I joined Culcheth Medical Centres active PPG group and after two years I became Chair and have grown our membership to 25.
In addition Warring CCG, actively promoting the Patient Voice, I joined the Warrington Health Forum and became its Chair until is was dissolved by the creation of the Integrated Care Board (ICB).
I also became a member of the Governing Body for Warrington on the CCG and ensured that the Patient Voice was heard and I have been on the NHSE Procurement Team on a couple of occasions.
Becoming a Public Governor for Warrington makes me feel very proud to represent the patients again in Warrington.
I have hard shoes to fill in following Paul Mendieka, who I knew very well and will do my best to carry on his hard work as I dedicate my period in his memory (RIP Paul).
Rest of England governors
Christine Stankus – Public Governor for Rest of England and Lead Governor
I was elected in September 2019 to the Council of Governors of which I am very proud of.
I’ve been retired for eight years and feel I still have a lot to offer, and contribute to work to ensure the provision of quality health services continue.
I bring a vast experience spanning 44 years working in the NHS Covering both psychiatry, learning disabilities and general care settings. Each brings its unique issues which, I feel has equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge, resulting in satisfactory solutions/outcomes.
My career developed considerably during my enjoyable career in a positive environment, my years of NHS service working in several post has been invaluable in galvanising those experiences, including fulfilling a secondment post in the Warrington PCT, managing the PCT Estate/Capital programme. Working with external agencies enabled me to approach service delivery in an holistic manner alongside not only senior managers, service users, and staff at the coalface.
I feel my NHS background gave me the experience to represents members’ interest in both the Trust and with other organisations/agencies.
As an ‘Elected Governor’ I can honestly say I am looking forward to ‘getting involved’ and hope my skills will be very useful to support the Trust staff, governors, and service users, as they continue to deliver what is” an already good Trust into an outstanding of excellence in many ways.
Bill Harrison – Public Governor
Why did you want to become a Governor?
Our NHS is a unique organisation which provides medical care to all members of our society, free at the point of delivery.
Although the political landscape changes, the needs of family life remain fundamentally stable. The role of Public Governor is a small way to ensure the views of the ordinary family will continue to form a vital part of the NHS decision making process.
What experience and skills do you feel that you bring to the role of Governor?
I am now retired having spent my career as an Electrical Engineer undertaking roles in Product Management Project Manager and Marketing, in this country and around the world.
As with most of my career Healthcare is all about people, and although my technical expertise, may on occasions be useful, my experience of working with people is much more relevant to the role of a Governor.
What is the most important thing for you as a Governor?
I have served as a Governor since before the granting of our Foundation Trust Licence in 2014.
Throughout my time as a governor, I have seen the trust evolve to meet the needs of our community, by, harnessing new technology, and constantly training and supporting staff to ensure the delivery of a range of high-quality services, to meet the ever-changing challenge of modern life.
I have been encouraged to be actively involved as a governor representative on several major trust committees and Director Appointment Panels. I have had opportunities to visit many of the trust’s clinics and health centres together with regular opportunities to meet staff of our trust.
The role of Public Governor gives me an opportunity to try to ensure the views of the ordinary family will form a vital part of the NHS decision making process.
Staff governors
Dr Sue Mackie – Staff Nursing & Midwifery
I currently work in Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS FT as the Director of Quality Governance.
I am a registered nurse, with a specialist practitioner qualification in District Nursing. I am also in the final year of a Professional Doctorate, having completed research exploring patient safety and incident reporting.
I am passionate about community nursing and also improving the quality of care and wellbeing for our colleagues and patients. Enabling the views and opinions of individuals within the organisation to be shared and heard, is a part of this role where I feel I can really add value.
I feel I am an authentic listener and look to fully understand what someone is saying and try to encourage people to fully express themselves by showing genuine care and curiosity. This approach would enable me to better convey the views and interests of staff members throughout the organisation.
I am as comfortable in a conversation with an individual as I am hosting group meetings.
Throughout my career I have developed good working relationships, skills, knowledge, and experience which I hope will stand me in good stead in this opportunity.
I have always placed quality at the heart of everything I do and believe that listening to, learning from, and acting upon the views of patients and colleagues is crucial to the development of the organisation. It is through this sharing of colleagues ideas and experiences, that I would seek to make a positive contribution to the future direction of the Trust.
Nicola Wilson – Staff Nursing & Midwifery
As a nurse within Bridgewater, I recognise the wide variety of nursing roles and expertise we have within the Trust, supporting both patients and their families / carers.
As services develop and we move into Integrated Care Systems I want to ensure that our nurses in Warrington are represented and have a voice.
I have worked as a nurse in the NHS for 33 years, I trained in Chester and on qualifying worked at the Royal Liverpool Hospital before successfully obtaining a Community Staff Nurse role in Warrington in 1995.
I have had the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally since, working across Warrington, in the District Nursing service, Community Matron role and currently the lead nurse for the Enhanced Care Home Support Service. I have also recently supported the Quality Team in the review and development of the Trust’s Clinical Policies and Procedures.
During my time on community, I have been able to represent the nurses of Warrington, as a member of the Warrington Professional Nurses Council, and chair person of this group, working closely with the Chief Nurse for the Trust at that time.
I am approachable, a good listener and I am passionate about nursing and want to represent both Bridgewater and the nurses of Warrington as a Staff Governor. Personally, I have lived in Warrington most of my life, but enjoy travelling, in particular cruising, socialising with both family and friends and walking our 14 year old Labrador.
Jilly Wallis – Allied Health Professionals
I have worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 25 years in the NHS of which 15 years have been with Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
I have first-hand experience of delivering patient care, the management of clinical teams and the delivery of large-scale programmes of transformation.
My current role is that of Allied Health Professional Lead, this role has enabled me to further develop my understanding of working with a range of disciplines within the boroughs and has enabled me to work with clinicians and teams across children’s and adult services.
I wish to become a governor at a trust that strives to improve the health and wellbeing of the population it serves.
A trust which values a person-centred approach, improvement in patient care and empowerment of staff.
I believe the skills I can bring to the role are my ability to work as part of a team, to communicate information clearly and my ability to problem-solve.
I consider myself to be approachable and open minded. If considered as governor I would endeavour to use my experience to support the organisation in the best way I can.
Sarah Power – Non-Clinical Support
I started my NHS Career 12 years ago, with Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, delivering patient care as an Occupational Therapy Assistant for 8 years.
I currently work as the Trust’s Apprenticeship Lead and manage the broader Talent for Care Agenda.
I am incredibly passionate about supporting the career aspirations of our existing workforce and also supporting local people to access our vacancies and gain insight to the sector by working with partners in the communities in which the Trust provides services.
I feel that by attracting the right people, who share our values and equipping them with the right knowledge and skills, we can feel confident that the Trust will have the workforce required, to continue to provide the best quality patient care now and in the future.
I would like to be considered for the role of staff governor, as I believe it presents opportunity to make a greater contribution to the organisation, outside of my day-to-day roles and responsibilities and opportunity to work with different stakeholders, for the good of the Organisation and ultimately our patients and local communities.
I consider myself personable and approachable, I feel fortunate that in my role, I am provided opportunity to engage with a really diverse range of staff and members of the communities we serve. I believe the aforementioned offers opportunity for me to contribute helpful insights as a staff governor.
Partner governors
Rachel Game – Higher / Further Education
I am a Principal Lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University of Central Lancashire. I am a dual qualified nurse who holds NMC Registration as Registered Nurse – Adult and Registered Nurse – Child.
I joined the University in 2004 after working in the NHS for nearly 18 years.
I am a member of the senior leadership team in the School of Nursing and as part of this role I am responsible for leading a team of academic staff . In addition to this role I am responsible for nursing recruitment, business and partnerships.
Following successful completion of my Registered General Nurse Training at South Manchester, I initially worked on a male surgical ward as a junior staff nurse.
From there I worked as a staff nurse on a Children’s unit within a district general hospital, this led me to commence my Children’s Nursing training at the University of Salford in 2000, when I qualified as a Registered Children’s Nurse.
Since then, I have gained experience in nursing acutely ill children both with surgical and medical needs, and within a children’s emergency setting. Prior to working at the University of Central Lancashire I was a placement facilitator in a local NHS trust where I worked closely with Higher Education Institutes.
During my time at the University of Central Lancashire I have gained a wealth of experience in teaching and learning, quality assurance and student experience, I am an experienced academic and a passionate children’s nurse.
I am a Registrant Visitor with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and within this role undertakes quality assurance process for other Higher Education Institutions with nursing programmes.
I have significant leadership and management experience.
My role as partner governor helps me work in collaboration with the trust and to explore ways we can support them, as well as being a voice for education and training.