Join our council of governors

How do I join the council of governors?

When governor elections are announced you will need to complete a nomination form to put yourself forward as a candidate. To stand as a candidate, you first need to be a member of the trust. Become a member

You can join as a member of the trust as long as you live in England. If you are a permanent or contracted member of staff, you automatically become a member.

If you would like to check your membership status, please email our membership office.

After you have become a trust member you can nominate yourself to stand for election. Once the closing date for nominations has passed, the trust will publish a list of candidates and announce further arrangements for the elections.

Please do contact the membership office with any questions, by calling 020 3758 2116 or emailing rf.membership@nhs.net.

Guidance for governors

Documents and guidance about NHS foundation trust governors and members can be found on Gov.uk.

Frequently asked questions

How much time will I have to commit? 

Governors will be expected to attend eight council meetings a year, which will include one joint trust board and council meeting, and the organisation's AGM, which is known as the annual members' meeting.

Governors will also have the opportunity to sit as observers on board committees, chair medicine for members' events and hold 'governors' surgeries' to engage with our members.

Will I be paid? 

Governors are not paid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. This will not include loss of earnings. 

How long can I remain on the council of governors? 

Governors will be elected for a term of three years and are allowed to stand for re-election up to a maximum of nine years (NB, some of the first members to be elected will serve an initial term of only two years so that we don’t lose all our experienced governors at the same time).

Who is eligible to be on the Royal Free council of governors? 

You must be a member of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and be over the age of 18. Become a member.

Will my personal details be made public?

Your name and the constituency that elected you will be held on a public register along with details of any potential conflict of interest – a political affiliation, for example. 

Can I be removed from the council of governors? 

Governors may resign at any time or may be removed by resolution of the council passed by a three-quarter majority of the remaining governors. This might be if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria or have a poor attendance record at meetings without good reason, as well as in certain other circumstances.