KGH Governors showcase public engagement at national event
KGH Governors have showcased some amazing work they have done during the pandemic at a prestigious national event held this week.
Our Governors were shortlisted to present examples of some of the exemplary awareness work they had done with the Northamptonshire Telegraph at the NHS Providers Governor Focus virtual conference which took place on July 6-8.
Four of our Governors, Peter Woolliscroft, Mabel Blades, David Harland and Andrew Stephen, presented the showcase comprising of a short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic8aOQ0L6mo&t=2s and presentation slides.
The Governors’ Focus event helps NHS Governors from across the country to network, learn more about the Governor role and share examples of how they are engaging with local people.
KGH was chosen as one of three out of over 150 Foundation Trusts in the country to present at the event.
Claire Mescia, Member Development Manager for NHS Providers, gave us feedback on the Governors presentation from other Governors in attendance.
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“Brilliant - what a great initiative”
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“So much to learn here from Kettering. We are just at the beginning to explore how we, as a Trust, can improve our channels of communication with members and recruit new members”
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“What a great initiative I will be definitely taking it back to my Trust”
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“It is refreshing to see an organisation that communicates well with their community.”
She said; “Attending Governors were highly complementary of your outreach with the Northants Telegraph and the mental health hubs. Importantly, you have achieved just what we want from showcase which is to inspire other governors and trusts into action. “
KGH Govenor Mabel Blades said: “During the pandemic, Kettering General Hospital’s Governors sought different ways to engage local people, providing information about the availability, access and safety of hospital services and support.
“It was an opportunity to build on the unprecedented attention on, and goodwill towards the NHS.
“The trust was keen to promote the hospital, spread key messages, and give insight into their work. With the support of the communications team, the governors approached the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph - which one governor had previously written articles for.
“The locally well-known and well-read newspaper published positive and informative pieces and readers could contact the author to request more information.
“Our Colleagues in the communications team checked each article for accuracy, but articles were otherwise unedited. Topics included how the hospital managed personal protective equipment and promoted Crisis Cafés which offered face-to-face mental health support.
“The initiative had positive feedback from staff and local people with over 100 new members joining the Trust. Information on the local NHS has been used by Patient Participation Groups in education and a new governor communications group was formed. “
Northants Telegraph Deputy Editor Neil Burkett said: "The Northamptonshire Telegraph has been publishing columns by governors at Kettering General Hospital on a regular basis for a number of months, both online and in print.
“They have provided genuine insight into the role, which is one many of our readers hitherto did not have much knowledge of.
“The fact so many of the governors have been happy to contribute speaks volumes for their dedication and also provides our readers with many different perspectives, helping to keep them engaged in the process. “
Our Governors have also introduced a monthly membership newsletter, and will publicise the showcase and the initiative in the next issue at the beginning of August.
It is free to become a member of KGH Foundation Trust and anyone can do it quickly and easily online https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/become-a-member-of-the-trust