Ipsos survey of NHS Governors for Monitor
A survey by Ipsos for Monitor finds that NHS Foundation Trust Governors generally feel able to exercise their statutory powers, represent their local areas, and hold the trust executive to account, but that there is room for improvement to make Governors feel more involved and engaged.
Governors mostly feel supported, engaged, and clear about their roles. Two-thirds (65%) of Governors agree that their Executive Board are supportive of the Governors Body and view it as an asset. Seven in ten (69%) Governors say they meet as a full Board or Council four or five times a year, while four in five (79%) Governors agree that they are clear about their roles and responsibilities as a Governor.
However, there are areas where Governors feel improvements can be made in the future including links with their Trust's Executive (10%), being more engaged with those they represent (10%) and having more power in their role (10%). Governors often wish to be more engaged than currently, and a combination of better communication and more knowledge of their position and what it means could potentially help their performance in the future. Some Governors do not feel the skills they have developed during their careers are being fully used, and suggest their Trusts may want to consider using this free resource better.
TECHNICAL NOTE
Results are based on 1,328 questionnaires completed by Governors of Foundation Trusts across England, out of a total sample of 2,426 Governors as of September 2007. Fieldwork took place between 4th October and 30th November 2007.
