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WelcomeDuring the nominations period, please use the "Complete my nomination form" button on the right (or below for mobile users or small screens) to nominate yourself for this election.During the voting period, please use the "Cast your vote now" button on the left (or below for mobile users or small screens) to proceed.Further information is available in the useful documents on the left and on the voting and nomination pages.These actions do not require javascript to be active.You will need to activate javascript to view the full content of this page including date specific updates.

Welcome

Welcome to the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust election website.

Elections are being held for the following Governor vacancies:

Public: Birmingham & Wider West Midlands – 2 vacancies
Public: Central England – 1 vacancy
Public: Dudley – 1 vacancy
Public: Sandwell – 1 vacancy
Public: Wolverhampton – 3 vacancies
Public: Walsall – 1 vacancy
Staff – 3 vacancies

Need More Information

To find out more information please see the useful documents and links in the resources section.
If you would like to discuss the role further you can contact the Trust as follows: Telephone: 0121 828 6593 or email [email protected]

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 Friday 12 July 2024.

Nominations are open

Welcome to the Black Country Healthcare 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 Governor vacancies:

Public: Birmingham & Wider West Midlands – 2 vacancies
Public: Central England – 1 vacancy
Public: Dudley – 1 vacancy
Public: Sandwell – 1 vacancy
Public: Wolverhampton – 3 vacancies
Public: Walsall – 1 vacancy
Staff – 3 vacancies

Need More Information

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 Friday 9 August 2024.

Nominations are closed

Welcome to the Black Country Healthcare 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 Tuesday 3 September 2024.

Voting is now open

Welcome to the Black Country Healthcare 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: Birmingham and Wider West Midlands

Elzbieta Maria Kardynal

Pushpita Mukherjee

Rob Shipley

Public: Dudley

Elsie Gayle

Cameron Richards

Sandra Vaughan

Public: Sandwell

David Boaz

Angela Gonsalves

Ify Nwiwu

Public: Wolverhampton

Jasbinder Dehar

Helen Jones

Kulvinder Kaur

Michael Wevill

Lynsey Willetts

Staff

George Baquian

Sukhi Hundal

Dr Vanathi Kennedy

Jonathan Petty

Mo Suleiman

Brett Wilkes

What happens next?

Voting will close at 5pm on Thursday 26 September 2024.

Elzbieta Maria Kardynal

I am a proud member of a Polish Community who has spent the last 20 years since my arrival to the UK focusing on supporting young people and their families in the process of finding their feet in a new country.

I used my whole professional career as teacher, lecturer, legal interpreter, mentor, and advisor to ensure that everyone has an equal access to services, understands their rights and responsibilities, but above all- provided opportunities to speak out about things that matter to us all, even if it means to have a difficult conversation.

My approach is to bring solutions, unite communities, and tackle any form of discrimination and social exclusion.

I am standing in this election for the sheer passion of serving all communities, ensuring that the voices of those who remain invisible, often get silenced or neglected are brought into light and listened to.

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

Pushpita Mukherjee

A trained engineer with 20+ years global work experience, I bring diverse perspective and lived experiences to influence. I speak multiple languages, to interact directly with a section of patient population. I am passionate about giving back to people. I swim for cancer charities, volunteered as amateur dramatics performer to fund community projects. I am 2024 United Nations Women UK delegate. I have chaired employee network group for ethnicity. Been committee member for advisory group to corporate executive board. As a public governor I propose to :

Tackle community healthcare inequalities to achieve equitable and quick access of quality healthcare.
Transform community mental health by creating specialist maternal mental health care programmes.
Deliver digital transformation by implementing technologies for faster diagnosis and improved treatments.
Make a difference through NHS IMPACT (Improving Patient Care Together) by focussing on continuous service improvement and empowering women to improve self-esteem.

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

Rob Shipley

I've attended nearly all the Public Trust Board Meetings over the last 4 years and submitted questions at many.

I've also been an active member of the Suicide Prevention Group, personally driving in suicide awareness and prevention training to 300 GPs, alongside widespread Safety Plan adoption.

I'm currently working on a proposed strategy for a road to a Zero Suicide Society, incorporating the latest research and thinking on this subject.

During this last year, I've met several really good Trust governors and feel that my style adopted from boardroom experience within successful UK companies, would fit well.

I would commit to do my very best to assist those who seek governor support, either in the community or within the Trust.

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

Elsie Gayle

Having completed a first term, I am standing for re-election.

I do this to continue to support the Trust's delivery and improvement of good patient care, especially in these challenging times for our NHS.

I have a keen interest in good quality, balanced healthcare, and have engaged fully with the role, attending almost all Governor meetings, with overview of the Quality and Safety Committee.

Along with Governor colleagues, I commit to hold the non-executives to account for the performance of the Trust Board.

My qualifications and experience as nurse, midwife and carer, the robust training as public governor has enabled me to represent the interests of the public, advocating for improvements to how the Trust delivers services.

Both my professional and personal networking with the wider community meant your issues have been raised, questions answered and solutions achieved or being currently worked towards.

You can trust me with your vote.

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

Cameron Richards

I want to be able to stand up for the little one. I want to be able to share the stories that people in the hospital who are silent for whatever reason. I aspire to use my loud voice to assist every patient in achieving their own goals, but I will also help any doctors and nurses who may require assistance.

Because of my own rare condition, I grew up in the healthcare network, and due to this, I have gained valuable experience in how it could be adjusted and what could be removed. Let the man that everyone sees be able to speak up for what everyone believes in. I don’t care what you look like or who you love; I have respect for everyone, & I hold no judgement. I am willing to learn form those that have come before to improve my skills while I do this job

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

Sandra Vaughan

I feel my experience working with and supporting people over many years gives me a good insight into the impact life experiences has on us all and how important it is that support and services are available to help each of us.

Originally from Walsall I have lived in the Dudley area for many years. My early life was being involved in the church and from a early age I have believed in the importance of volunteering.

My current work role is as Chief Executive of a mental health charity. I have worked in the mental health field for almost 30 years. I have also worked for Age Concern, been a magistrate for 37 years and a youth worker for around 20 years in this area and also in Walsall and Derby.

I am a great believer in standing against inequality and challenging discrimination.

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

Angela Gonsalves

I am from a voluntary organisation called Wellbeing Empowered solutions CIC. Our aim is to support people from Ethnic minority communities living in Black country .We bridge the gap caused by culture, beliefs and language. We provide social support so our beneficiaries can understand available support and how to access them. we provides Befriending, Mentoring for isolated, sick/house bound, victims from various life challenges; mental health Coaching, Welfare guidance, Interpreting, health Champion and Advocacy. A holistic approach is used to address health inequalities, promote community cohesion and celebrate diversity. Our strategies aims to provide equal access to resources and support for everyone regardless of their background or circumstances. We have identify a number of challenges comes from Health literacy, language barrier, digital exclusions, Stigma and lack of cultural appropriate initiatives. Health inequalities is a big challenge along with the culture clash. Voice from voluntary organization is vital to the Trust.

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

Jasbinder Dehar

I want to make a positive impact on health happiness and well being of our residents in the communities. I Will bring with me a wealth of experience, knowledge and ideas to represent diversity, equality, Disability inclusion, BAME and LGBTQ.

Help shape the future of our services by sharing their views and experiences and support our service users, patients, carers and communities. Promote and advocate for high quality care for all. Advocate what matters most to our residents our community and bring this to the board.

I am an elected councillor in Wolverhampton. I am also the chairperson of interfaith Wolverhampton and a Rotary member. I am confident dealing with board matters and dealing with documents'.

It will be an honour and privilege, if elected to represent the residents and the community

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

Helen Jones

I was introduced to BCHFT as a service user in 2022 and was fortunate to have had a positive experience to the treatment and interactions I received under their care. Since then, I welcomed the opportunity to become a Lived Experience Consultant which has enabled me to broaden my knowledge and understanding to the wealth of services BCHFT has to offer, whilst supporting improvements through my own lived experience.

In applying for the public governor role, I hope to utilise my lived experience skills to further benefit the trust, my local community and beyond. The attributes I hold in my profession as a Customer Success Manager has synergies and alignment to governor duties. These qualities, combined with my LEC role and vested interest in helping and supporting others through time of ill-health, I believe will be a natural fit to support the Trust’s ambition in providing outstanding, quality specialist services.

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

Kulvinder Kaur

I have been a governor at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for the past 3 years, in which I have engaged with:-

- The Public, Patients and Carers to actively champion their voices and interests. Promoting patient needs, addressing any concerns raised and striving for great patient care.

- Trust Staff, Directors and Non Executive Directors. I have made positive contributions and ensured patients, public and carers are at the core of all decision making.

As a British Sikh woman born to first generation immigrants I contribute a unique perspective shaped by my lived experiences; I am a service user, I live in Wolverhampton and have 20+ years experience in the NHS.

I have enjoyed my role as a Public Governor. I am keen to continue in this role to ensure your views and opinions are heard and represented.

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

Michael Wevill

Wolverhampton has been home for 23 years with all of my life spent in the West Midlands.

As the parent of a son with Downs Syndrome I understand the need to be fully inclusive.

I was the parents representative on the children and young patients committee for New Cross where I spoke up for families that might not otherwise had had a voice.

I am semi-retired now so have time to commit but have been fortunate in my working life to work on and lead a wide variety of projects many of which have had budgets counted in millions of pounds. The success of these has been based upon the ability for everyone to work together.

I am not scared to challenge, politely but firmly, the views of very senior individuals. I am a good listener.

My accountancy background means I understand the importance of being aware of all costs.

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

George Baquian

I care about the NHS - services it delivers, staff wellbeing and how public money is spent. I’ve been working in the NHS for 24yrs, both in Acute and MH; currently as transformation project manager. I’m from the ethnic minority and value what the NHS stands for, a free service for all who need it and not on whether you can afford it.

I’ve seen many changes in the NHS over the years, and service/staff pressures are not getting any easier. I cannot guarantee or directly make changes to alleviate pressure on staff/services, but I can offer to represent view of staff colleagues, influence policies/practices that affect patient care and service delivery, play a role in shaping future NHS services and contribute to initiatives that improve services, and work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders, including other governors, executives and community members.

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

Sukhi Hundal

As a Registered RMN, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the NHS, uniquely positioning me to advocate for the highest standards of care and continuous service improvement. My experience working in dynamic and demanding environment has sharpened my leadership skills, nonetheless, my proven ability to collaborate and communicate effectively will be crucial in bridging the gap between the Trust’s leadership and frontline staff.

Having worked extensively in Urgent Care Services, I understand the dedication required to deliver high-quality care under pressure. My familiarity with the operational dynamics, including swift decision-making and effective communication, enables me to represent frontline perspectives in governance decisions.

As a trained Cultural Ambassador for the Trust, I am deeply committed to the well-being of NHS staff. I am passionate about fostering a safe, supportive and empowering work environment, recognising that a motivated workforce is essential for delivering excellent patient care.

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

Dr Vanathi Kennedy

I am a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist. I started as a trainee doctor in this Trust and have been a consultant since 2015. I have played a pivotal role is establishing the perinatal mental health services with in the Black Country . This gave me an opportunity to work with the wide range of stakeholders and third parry organisations and lived experience experts . I have been committed to providing high quality, safe and effective care for the population of this region. I am passionate about being a voice for vulnerable communities such as the BAME population. I have taken up additional roles of responsibilities and I have promptly acted on concerns raised by staff.

If given an opportunity, I would act as an ambassador in representing and promoting the trust, by being a link between patients, the public and the Board of Directors.

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

Jonathan Petty

I am writing to submit my application for the position of staff governor for our Trust.

I have many years of dedicated NHS service in various leadership capacities, demonstrating a track record of effective governance, strategic decision-making, and fostering positive change.

I have a forward-thinking mindset, a commitment to staff and patient safety and a passion for envisioning a better future for our Trust. I possess the ability to contribute towards strategic goals, interpret and analyse comprehensive plans remaining focused on our overarching vision, our values and our strategic ambitions.

I am committed to transparency, accountability, and I am committed to inclusivity, in all aspects of my life,

I strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. I firmly believe that diversity is a strength and that embracing different perspectives and experiences leads to better outcomes, for our staff and for those who use our services.

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

Mo Suleiman

I am very passionate about the great work we all do as staffs to support our clients &patient in every units of this trust .

Everyone understand what to do to support and provide that superb care for our clients and patients in each ward /units of this trust.We also expect that in return staffs should be respected and not assaulted,spat at ,injured or verbally abused when they carryout their work with the patients and escalated nothing is done.
I want to be that voice that will speak and represent more of your interest for a better staff welfare , benefits and safety always.let’s us do this together as I promise to be that voice that will trigger the change for a better and safe future for us.

We will continue to engage management and trust board to ensure that they provide appropriate support for all staff as at when due always.

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

Voting closed

Welcome to the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust election website, voting is now closed.

Results

Congratulations to the candidates who have been successfully elected.

Election to the Assembly of Governors

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: Birmingham and Wider West Midlands

Public: Dudley

Public: Sandwell

Public: Wolverhampton

Staff

What happens next?

Voting closed

Results

Resources

Useful links

Useful documents

Timetable