Who's who

Mrs Jean Arrowsmith

I completed my nurse training at Warwick hospital and over the years have maintained my full commitment to South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust. More recently I have enjoyed my role of hospital governor working to help ensure that the care provided is the ‘best it can be’.

I believe that the governor role is important in helping to ensure that the community are represented fully at all levels. During my six years I have been Chair of the Patient Care Committee; a member of the Clinical Governance Committee where senior clinicians discuss important strategic and clinical issues; served as a member of the Nomination and Renumeration committee tasked with providing assurance in terms of recruitment and appraisal of the Trust Chair and Non-Executive Board. I regularly attend the monthly Board meetings and Governor development sessions.

I have enjoyed a varied clinical career that has included ward sister, Research and Development nurse and Clinical Effectiveness manager in both Coventry and Rugby hospitals always focusing on ensuring that care is the best it can be. I currently work for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services helping them to develop services targeted at the most vulnerable; helping to keep people safe from harm and living independently in their own home. I have really enjoyed my role of hospital governor and hope you feel able to vote for me to remain as a governor and continue the important role of providing assurance and a voice for our local community.

Michael Coker

I had the privilege of being elected as a foundation Governor in 2009 and then served on the governing

body for some seven years but did not stand for re-election in 2016 as a result of pressure of other duties. During that time I was chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and helped to appoint the Chairman and Directors of the Trust throughout that period.

I practice locally as a Solicitor throughout my career and also served as HM Coroner for Warwickshire for some 25 years in total as well as serving as a District and Town Councillor in Keniworth for many years. I believe this varied experience and knowledge of the local area should be of value to the Trust.

Further, I now know that I will have the time available that the post of governor requires and would love to have the privilege of giving that time to the Trust, which provides one, if not the most important service in our area. We are all fortunate to have a good hospital service within our district and I would wish to give such support as I am able to maintain that good and efficient care.

Patricia Scott

Since retiring I have been involved in voluntary work in the local community, the most recent being connected to the NHS. For 11 years I was a carer to a family member. On several occasions during the last 18 months I have been visiting a patient in Warwick Hospital. During this time I became aware of the workings of various departments.

I am a resident of Kenilworth and belong to two local organisations. I believe I could bring to the role of governor open-mindedness, willingness to question, good questioning skills, good listening skills, preparedness to learn, ability to weigh up different opinions/arguments, confidence to speak up on behalf of others, a strong conviction in the NHS, realisation that I may be wrong, the importance of being open and honest and not shying away from aggressive confrontation but seeking amicable dialogue.

I have no professional financial qualifications nor experience as a Governor of any organisation although for 3 years was Director of a voluntary service. The only degree I have is one of common sense.

Carolyn Pickering

My family and I have lived in Leamington since 1977.Our children grew up here and went to local schools .Terefore I have close connections with the community, town and area.

I am a retired solicitor, and at one time had a practice in Leamington, from which I offered services to clients mainly in family and criminal law proceedings, along with some civil litigation and conveyancing.

I had connections with Bath Place and the Citizens Advice Bureau for some years, where I gave free advice on any issue that was presented to me.

I have been a volunteer at a Homeless Shelter, and then a trustee of a Housing Project in Coventry.

My family and I have benefited from the provision of medical advice and treatment from the local NHS services. This has been much appreciated, and I would like to share this experience in order to be of service to the Trust and to members of the public, to assist the Trust in its provision of local services and its communication with members of the Trust..

Mrs Ruth Cowan

I became a Governor of South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust in 2010 and in eight years the Trust has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most respected in the country. I am proud to be a Governor representing the voice of the people of Leamington and Warwick.

My time spent as Governor includes attending monthly meetings with the non-executive directors prior to the board meetings, quarterly round table events with the board and fellow Governors and sitting on the Patient Care, End of Life and Food for Life Committees.

What is important in the Governor role is being a conduit between you the users of our service and the staff and management team. Putting your views and ideas as how the Trust is performing and how things could be changed or improved. The Trust has recently taken on the challenge of running the Community service and this will greatly improve the health and social care in the county.

I look forward to continuing my work with the Trust

Jane Knight

I feel qualified to take on this responsibility because of my wide experience of governing organisations. In many cases I have been Chair of the governing bodies on which I have served. For example, I have been Chair of Warwick District Council, (WDC), the WDC Finance and Audit Scrutiny committee, Shrubland St. school governors, member of WDC Health Scrutiny committee, and member and chair of various community organisations.

I have initiated many new community activities such as Leamington Peace Festival and the 38 year friendship link with Bo in Sierra Leone, which includes health links.

I have worked for 17 years as an OXFAM campaigner, and then worked internationally promoting development partnerships between local councils and communities in Africa, India, Chile and Japan.

Since 2003 I have served on Children’s Centres’ Strategic Advisory Group. Through my council work I have been closely involved with the development of various programmes, such as the WDC Leisure Centres, Pump Room Gardens and Newbold Comyn, and the building of Sayer Court Sheltered flats for the elderly).

Around 2014, I had cancer and meningitis and had pancreatitis before that. I was looked after by staff at Warwick Hospital and was so impressed with the professional expertise and wonderful care provided. I am now in perfect health.

My greatest delight is my family of 5 sons and 15 grandchildren. Retiring next year from the Council, means I can take on being a Public Governor.

Sir John Egan

Mr Roger Lloyd

I have lived in the area for 40 years and have always used Warwick Hospital (A&E, Oncology and Cardio Care) when the need has arisen for my family and myself. I believe in the NHS which clearly needs help from its users to develop in a manner which continues to serve the wider community delivering the services which they need.

My experience as a lawyer for more than 40 years enables me to understand NHS regulations. I am fully retired and able to devote all the necessary time to the role of Governor

As a Governor I have attended :

• Board meetings
• Audit and Finance & Performance Committees as an observer
• Council of Governors’ meetings
• General Purposes and Business Oversight Committees

I am also on the Project Board working to improve the car parking facilities at Warwick. These have given me a good understanding of the workings of SWFT and the role and performance of the Non-Executive Directors. With your assistance, I hope to be able to continue being an advocate for the community. I have in the past brought issues / concerns raised with me to the attention of the Chairman / Chief Executive / Executive Directors for action and comment.

Mrs Mary Malloy

My 37 years working in the NHS has given me extensive experience of hospital and primary care services and management. This includes strategy, service improvement, cost effectiveness, governance and training. I wish to use my knowledge and understanding to benefit SWFT.

I held senior clinical pharmacy posts in teaching hospitals for 20 years followed by senior management posts in a Primary Care Trust. I have experience of supporting GPs, community services, social care and public health. I have been a nursing home inspector and was a Director of Warwickshire Care Services which operates twelve care homes.

In the last seven years as a governor, and current Lead Governor, I have devoting many hours to the Council of Governors and other key strategy meetings. I chair the General Purposes Committee and sit on Appointments and Patient Care Committees. I attend Board meetings and meet regularly with the Chairman raising my own and constituents’ concerns.

My family have lived in Stratford for 26 years, so I know local NHS services well. I supported the Stratford Hospital development and will continue to listen to constituents and promote best possible services for Stratford residents.

As a governor I am committed to putting patients first, seeking assurances on quality and availability of health services, and to the success of SWFT. I am passionate about maintaining NHS principles within an integrated publicly funded and provided NHS. I have the experience, time and dedication to continue to commit fully to the Governor role.

Mike Flaxman

Mr David Gee

I have been a Governor of the Trust ever since its beginning, so have a wealth of experience which will be invaluable when facing the challenges ahead.

During this time, I have fully supported SWFT which is now one of the top-performing Trusts in the whole of the UK. However, during this time I have not hesitated to question, ensuring that patient’s interests are always taken into consideration. I was an active member of the project team for the new Stratford Hospital which is now providing a greatly improved service to local residents and I will continue to fully support all future developments within the local area.

With increasing demands and never enough money, the future holds increasing challenges for the whole of the NHS. I am a strong supporter of the NHS which my family have used extensively over the years. If re-elected, using my long experience, I will continue to fully support the NHS and best care for all local residents.

Mike Wells

I’m a retired IT project manager who’s lived in Shipston on Stour for over 20 years and in South Warwickshire for 30 years. I have 35 years of experience in the delivery of IT to businesses ranging from Automotive to the NHS, including the Trust, to Government departments.

I have been a Governor of the Trust since April 2018.

As a recipient of the Trust’s services I have always been delighted with my interactions with the staff and the outcomes they’ve achieved for me. However, I am aware that this is not the case for everyone and the issues I hear most commonly relate to people in more complex situations that require both the Trust and external Agencies to work together. For these people the whole patient journey is often, for a variety of reasons, disjointed and I hope to help the Trust to lead on building a more complete and integrated Service across all of the Agencies.

As a Governor I have attended public meetings gaining a better understanding of the requirements of the local population and then use this in Trust meetings. I am a member of the Ellen Badger Hospital redevelopment project team and board where I use my local knowledge to help the team working on this exciting redevelopment. I attend the monthly Trust Board meetings and the Business Oversight Committee as well as attending regular Governor meetings.

I would welcome the opportunity to continue to work with the Trust as it develops and progresses.

Andy Petros

Having worked in the NHS for almost forty years I appreciate how important it is to get services working efficiently to deliver first rate care to patients. As a Govenenor I have the opportunity to contribute to the Trust management team and have oversight of current and future plans. It is my aim to feedback to the Trust any concerns from residents of East Stratford and Boards and also examples of positive experiences.

Cally Harrison has a clinical, academic and managerial background and lengthy experience in the NHS. After working for different trusts around the country (primary/community services and secondary care), she felt that one of the best ways to improve and maintain high standards of care locally was to become a Foundation Trust Governor.

She believes that as it has been shown by many national and international think tanks, quality should be the organising principle of any credible healthcare organisation, hence she would like to use her knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure that the local NHS continues to successfully serve its patients.

Being of a mixed ethnic background, she also has a strong interest in ensuring that all patients, carers, staff members, and partners do feel valued and are treated with integrity, honesty, fairness, empathy, compassion and respect. She has been a public governor since July 2012 and she believes this role gave her the opportunity to participate and constructively contribute to a number of committees and forums around a variety of issues from performance, governance and finance to IT innovation projects, partnership working/pathway redesigns within the local Health Economy and patient involvement initiatives.

She was also sent alongside other governors to numerous training and development accredited courses and fed back to the Council of Governors and the Trust Board.

Cally believes that the NHS needs to reform to deliver on multiple challenges and for this to happen staff at all levels need to embrace multidisciplinary team working, subsidiarity and consistency.

Graham Nuttall