A HOSPITAL trust has welcomed four new governors to help influence how its services are developed and delivered.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), which runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester is welcoming the latest members of the Council of Governors to join the team.

The council works alongside the Board of Directors in ensuring that communities and staff have an influence in how services are developed and delivered by the trust.

It is made up of members of fifteen public governors, five staff governors and five appointed governors.

The latest four governors to join the team are:

Anthony Bravo, the Principal of Basingstoke College of Technology and Abigail Compton-Burnett who has worked as a personal care attendant and a registered hospital and community nurse.

Both are joining as new public governors for North Hampshire and West Berkshire.

As well as Patrick Cornelius who worked for 67 years in the maritime industry and Graham Sumner who has worked in the defence industry and global IT services.

They are joining as newly elected governors for Mid and East Hampshire.

Steve Erskine, Chairman, said: “The Council of Governors is central in voicing the needs and interests of our local communities and staff, as well as providing an important scrutiny role of what is going on in our hospitals, holding our non-executive directors to account for the performance of the board of directors.

“I am thrilled to welcome our new Governors, who I am sure are going to be an excellent addition alongside our existing members, at what is a really important time for our organisation."

Douglas Ralph, Lead Governor, added: “The role of a Governor has never been more important than it is today, as we see our trust confront the challenges of a global pandemic, but also look ahead to the future of healthcare in Hampshire through the Hampshire Together: Modernising our hospitals and health services."