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Welcome

Welcome to the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust election website.

Elections are being held for the following Public Governor vacancies:

Public: Rest of England – 1 seat
Public: Harrogate & surrounding villages – 2 seats
Public: Knaresborough and East District – 1 seat
Public: Wetherby, Harewood, Otley and Yeadon, Adel and Wharfedale, Alwoodley – 1 seat

Need More Information

To find out more information please see the useful documents and links in the resources section.

Need Help

If you need any help submitting your nomination you can contact the Returning Officer by emailing [email protected]

Please watch this short video explaining how to complete a nomination form online.

What happens next?

Nominations will open on Wednesday 2 October 2024

Nominations are open

Welcome to the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust election website.

Nominations for this election are now open. Please click the ‘Complete my nomination form’ button to submit a nomination form.

Elections are being held for the following Public Governor vacancies:

Public: Rest of England – 1 seat
Public: Harrogate & surrounding villages – 2 seats
Public: Knaresborough and East District – 1 seat
Public: Wetherby, Harewood, Otley and Yeadon, Adel and Wharfedale, Alwoodley – 1 seat

Need More Information

To find out more information please see the useful documents and links in the resources section.

Need Help

If you need any help submitting your nomination you can contact the Returning Officer by emailing [email protected]

Please watch this short video explaining how to complete a nomination form online.

What happens next?

Nominations will close at 5pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024

Nominations are closed

Welcome to the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust election website.

Nominations for this election are now closed and candidate statements will be available when the ballot opens.

What happens next?

Voting will open on Thursday 21 November 2024

Voting is now open

Welcome to the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust election website, voting is now open.

To vote electronically please click on the ‘Cast your vote now’ button. You will be asked to enter the security codes. Depending on how you arrived here, these may have automatically been completed for you. If you have received a postal ballot paper, you can find the security codes printed on your ballot paper.

You can also watch a short video explaining how to cast your vote online.

Candidate statements

Please click on the candidates’ photographs and view candidates’ statements for election.

Public: Harrogate & surrounding villages

Mr Lemi Ceyhan

John Edmonstone

Michael Fisher

Michael Lawn

Victoria Oldham

David Oswin

Dawn Raspin

Rabinder Sidhu

Public: Knaresborough and East District

Richard Owen-Hughes

Professor Anthony Robards

What happens next?

Voting will close at 5pm on Monday 16 December 2024

John Edmonstone

I have lived in the catchment area of the Trust from some 40 years and am currently a user of the Trust's services as a patient. At my previous address I was a parish councillor and chaired the parish council for a number of years. I was an employee in the NHS as a Management Training Manager and Organisation Development Consultant with the Trent Regional Health Authority, Regional Training Manager with the Yorkshire Regional Health Authority and Project Manager with the NHS Training Authority. I have held a number of health-related academic appointments - Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Health Planning & Management, Keele, Programme Associate, Leeds, Research Fellow, Queen Margaret (Edinburgh), Teaching Fellow, Sheffield Hallam and am currently Research Fellow, Liverpool John Moores. I have acted as External Examiner for a suite of programmes at Brighton University Medical School, was External Examiner for an MSc in International Health Leadership at Manchester Business School and am currently External Examiner for an MSc in Healthcare Leadership at Hull University. I am the author of 11 books, including OD in Healthcare (2022), Systems Leadership in Health & Social Care (2020) and Action Learning in Health, Social & Community Care (2018). I believe that I can bring a unique blend of health-related practice (based on my consultancy work) and academic credibility to the role of Governor.

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: Labour Party
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Michael Fisher

I have lived in Harrogate for 48 years, with my wife, two children and three grandchildren, we have benefited from the HDFT on many occasions. Some very good experiences and some with room for improvement. I feel it is now my time to contribute to the service and support in making a difference. I have attended a Directors meeting and a Governors meeting, which has given me a better insight into the multifaceted running of the HDFT.

I have been in the care sector for 40 years. Having established and managed my own care homes and also, I have been a Regional director for a corporate care business, which included commissioning new builds. I was also appointed to improve care facilities within the company that were facing challenges, this involved liaising with CQC. I worked with HR, recruitment including Managers, management of staff teams in all departments including House Keeping, Catering and the care teams and understanding how all these functions work together for a successful caring environment. I managed Health & Safety and worked within budget control. My role also encompassed caring for the elderly, including dementia and disabled people. I worked with multi-disciplinary teams and families which included bereavement management.

Care is a lifelong passion of mine, and I believe I can bring my wealth of experience and knowledge to this role. I have a can-do attitude and always believe that a solution is possible. I am a team player with a positive and collaborative approach.

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

David Oswin

My name is David Oswin I am a 72 year old semi retired Consultant in the Structural Engineering Business that brought me to Harrogate as a Graduate trainee 50 years ago

I have two grown up Sons who live locally along with my wife Pam have all benefitted hugely from the local NHS services

Pam has had two hip operations and I have had remarkable Cancer Surgery and palliative & active care in both Harrogate and Leeds but there is always room for improvement

My reason for applying to be a Governor is 100% non political and is quite simply my wanting to offer payback time to the local community service of HDFT as an experienced non medical manager

I have spent many weeks in Hospital and post operative and have seen first hand both the good and the not so good - seeing the need for more joined up thinking and precious resource planning up close

I have extensive high level project management and financial planning experience in the private sector both in the UK & Europe I can bring to bear

I have too considerable public and community service to offer - in Pannal & Burnbridge I have served on the Parish Council for 7 years as Deputy Chairman & Chair of Planning

Thanks to the Hospital I now continue as an "Active Member" of "Active against Cancer" at the local Rugby Club & now graduated to the Gym ,Rackets & Squash facility

I simply want to say thanks to my local Community in applying

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Dawn Raspin

A close relative was recently, seriously injured, and spent over 9 months in hospital, I watched in awe the work of the staff who saved his life and cared for him and continue to care for him so well.

So, I understand the vital importance of the services provided by the NHS and whilst I, along with the vast majority of the UK population hold the NHS in the highest possible regard there always has to be a degree of accountability needed and I would be both honoured and privileged to serve on behalf of the Local Community in the role of Governor to the Harrogate & District NHS Trust.

Having previously worked as a Senior Manager with the largest Professional Services / Accountancy firm, I would bring professional auditing experience to be able, on behalf of the interests of the Community, to hold to account the Non-Executive Directors for the overall performance of the Trust.

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Rabinder Sidhu

I joined Barclays Bank in 1979 and worked within a customer focused environment for 30 years, during which time I developed good communication skills and I became highly adaptable within various roles. In one of my roles within Barclays I worked with an agricultural manager which required me to be methodical, prioritising work on a daily basis, planning and organising a portfolio.
I am a great believer in challenging discrimination, promoting equality and valuing diversity. Having worked in a banking environment, I am a great supporter of customer service and treat others according to their needs. I have been a parent governor at our children’s school which was enlightenment of the education system. Now I help raise funds at the granddaughters school. Becoming a governor at HDFT would allow me to be part of an organisation that recently my family and I have had to use, which has been excellent.
I am friendly, helpful, courteous, knowledgeable and enthusiastic and I always take ownership and responsibility for my actions and decisions.
In 2009 I was appointed as a criminal justice magistrate on the Harrogate bench following a rigorous selection process. In 2012 I was selected to sit on the family bench, following which I am now a presiding justice. I enjoy knitting, yoga, reading novels and listening to radio and current affairs. We are keen walkers to improve fitness. I feel that I would be able to contribute to the team with my skills and abilities within the role.

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Richard Owen-Hughes

Having completed my first term as a Governor at HDFT, I am very happy to have the opportunity to stand again. In becoming a Governor, I hoped to be able to give something back to an organisation and a town that have given me, and my family, so much.

My three years on the Council of Governors has allowed me to do that, but I have also enjoyed meeting and working with many talented people across the Trust. As an NHS ‘outsider’ it has been great to better understand this wonderful British institution, but it’s also important that the Trust benefits from representation and support from people who don’t work day-to-day within the NHS.

Our family has lived in Knaresborough for over 20 years. Our three sons were born at Harrogate Hospital and went to school in Knaresborough. We actively participate in the life of the town, from the Bed Race to the Silver Band and more. I was previously a Governor at Meadowside Primary School.

I work as Marketing Director for a nationwide recruitment business, requiring skills such as strategic thinking, commercial acumen and effective planning. I offer strong people skills – leadership, collaboration and especially, communication. I take a great interest in what makes people tick, understanding and working to fulfil people’s needs. These skills have helped me to be an effective Governor for HDFT.

In my spare time I enjoy family activities, running, cycling, long walks with the dog and playing trombone for Harrogate Symphony Orchestra.

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Professor Anthony Robards

Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to biological and biomedical research at the University of York, paired with leadership roles in biomedical start-ups and charitable organisations. I served six years as Chairman of Yorkshire Cancer Research and seven as Chairman of the York Archaeological Trust, experiences that have strengthened my skills in strategic planning, organisational management, and budget oversight. These roles have also given me a deep appreciation of the vital role that non-executives play in both challenging and supporting organisational executives and boards. As a candidate for Governor at HDFT, I am committed to advancing new technologies that enhance patient outcomes, streamline services, and increase efficiency. Digital systems and artificial intelligence, among other innovations, hold promising potential but there are numerous other technological advances becoming available that will provide both opportunities and challenges. A committed supporter of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), I have championed these values in my board roles and recruitment processes. Having resided in the Harrogate area for 40 years, with first hand experience of both primary and hospital care, I bring valuable local insights into the Trust's strengths and potential areas for improvement. In my prior role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Relations at the University of York, I represented the institution in the community while reflecting public perspectives back to the University. I am thus well-prepared for similar Governor’s responsibilities at HDFT. If elected, I would bring all this experience to the Council with dedication, ensuring that my contributions are both meaningful and impactful.

Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Voting closed

Welcome to the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust election website, voting is now closed.

Results

Congratulations to the candidates who have been successfully elected.

Council of Governor Elections Autumn 2024

Welcome

Need More Information

Need Help

What happens next?

Nominations are open

Need More Information

Need Help

What happens next?

Nominations are closed

What happens next?

Voting is now open

Candidate statements

Public: Harrogate & surrounding villages

Public: Knaresborough and East District

What happens next?

Voting closed

Results

Resources

Useful links

Useful documents

Timetable