Our Council of Governors plays a significant role in shaping the future of our Trust.
In the run up to our Governor Elections for 2020, we spoke to some of our current Governors about their roles.
Dr Richard Hodder - Lead Governor
A bit about me
Following a career in clinical medicine which included hospitals, the RAF, research and general practice, my retirement was interrupted by becoming a Royal Papworth patient, subsequently undergoing a successful pulmonary endarterectomy.
As a Governor my interests are with all aspects of patient care - compassion, caring and dignity, and that those looking after them in our hospital are both encouraged and rewarded, not forgetting those in the essential non-clinical areas. I currently chair/sit on a number of committees, take part in rounds and inspections when invited, and attend Board meetings. As a volunteer at Addenbrooke’s for over ten years and at Royal Papworth for four, I find my close contact with patients, carers and staff invaluable in contributing to my various committee memberships.
How long have you been a public Governor?
I was elected a Governor in 2014, re-elected in 2017 and appointed Lead Governor in 2018.
Why did you want to join our Council of Governors?
Having experienced first-hand the unique culture at Royal Papworth, I wanted to become more involved with the hospital.
What projects have you been involved in during your time as a Governor?
It has been a privilege to have witnessed the move to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the Queen’s visit and currently on how the hospital has risen to the immense challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being a Governor is very much what you make it but it certainly provides an added interest into the hospital, its staff and patients, and the opportunity to ensure that it is promoting its position as a provider of the best cardio-thoracic services in the country.
Pippa Kent - Public Governor
A bit about me
Born with cystic fibrosis (CF), while I have had many years of first hand experience in hospitals, and a medical family, personally I have no medical training but an obvious interest in medicine, the NHS and specifically Royal Papworth having been a patient since prior to my double lung transplant in 2017.
Although I grew up in Cambridge I have lived in London for the past nine years. Career wise I have worked predominantly in PR, with a focus on food and drink, since graduating with a history degree in 2011 and hoped that my experience in this sector, as well as my patient view, would offer something to my role as a governor.
Separately from my role as a Governor I run a website and social media accounts called Now What Can I Eat. Here I talk largely about life, and eating, post transplant. This account has allowed me to build friendships with a number of Royal Papworth and other CF and transplant patients which, again, I hope again has a positive impact on my role as a Governor and allows me to interact and communicate with people in a different way; highlighting the hospitals activities but also garnering opinions on various things.
How long have you been a public Governor?
Since September 2019.
Why did you want to join our Council of Governors?
I wanted to give something back to the hospital that saved my life and contribute something positive.
I often had a private opinion on things, having spent many years experiencing NHS care, and hoped this placed me well to support the hospital and the patients within it.
I also hoped my life and career experiences would add something beneficial, and maybe different, to the group of Governors.
What projects have you been involved in during your time as a Governor?
Although this year has been a slightly strange one and like everything ordinary governor meetings and activities have felt the impact in the last 12 months I hope I have contributed positivity to the board of Governors.
As a new Governor I have spent time learning how the hospital works behind the scenes, the responsibilities of various teams and individuals and the roles that Governors can play within this all. I have attended regular governors meetings where we have discussed both the successes and issues within the wider hospital and established where we may positively help.
I have been involved in patient satisfaction days; visiting the wards, talking to the patients and asking their opinions of the care they have received at Royal Papworth. We sampled the food on offer through the extensive catering operation at Royal Papworth and afterwards initiated an improvement plan for any areas needed.
I have also been actively involved with the Royal Papworth Hospital Charity team and hope to do more of this over the coming months and years.
If you are interested in standing in our Governor Elections, please complete a nomination form. Nominations close at 17:00 on Monday 14 September.