Meet the Governors

I have 40 years NHS experience, as a Nurse and Executive & Non-Executive Director and also bring 9 years previous experience as a Governor at Christie NHS Trust, chairing their Council’s Quality Committee. My Governer experience has given me insight into the challenges facing patients, staff and our services and importantly as a patient, I appreciate what patients and families expect.  

My commitment is to ensure members  and the wider community have a voice and representation, locally at Salford Royal Hospital and across the Northern Care Alliance.

Elected: January 2022; Re-Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

I have worked as a Volunteer at Salford Royal Hospital for over 5 years. The role involves walking around most departments and areas of the hospital. I see and notice many things that can be improved on to make the patient experience better when visiting the hospital. I have previously worked in project management so have a good understanding of general running of a business. My ultimate aim is to make Salford Royal Hospital a great place to visit from the minute a patient arrives to the minute they leave. I also want to make the place a better environment for staff working at the hospital. 

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

I am a passionate, active individual with three decades of experience as both a youth and community worker and now a therapist serving the local area and beyond. I would like to offer my observations and experience of Salford and my fellow residents. Through my work I am acutely aware of the ripples of apathy that exist. There is a belief that one person cannot make a difference by sharing their views or opinions which is sad because we have a lot to say. As a collective, Salford, we can literally move mountains.  

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting 

I have been a strong advocate for ensuring the Northern Care Alliance improves its Accessibility for Staff, patients and all who access Trust services, especially for those who are d/Deaf. I have been a British Sign Language Interpreter for 23 years and also the chairperson for the Salford Disability Forum and Salford d/Deaf Community. I have a strong knowledge of equality legislation. As a governor I would work hard and use its influence for positive change ensuring NCA service across Salford improve for people (Staff, Patients and Carers) who are d/Deaf or live with Disabilities. I believe as a public representative I can share lived experience both personally and that of others to ensure people who are key decision makers from the planning stage ensure accessibility is built-in.

Elected: December 2023; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Member' Meeting

Professionally I am an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Trustee, mentor and motivational speaker, who highlights the intersectional experience of race & class, women, single parents, Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic Violence and Rape, Poverty, LGBT+ and disability inequality rights. I have supported and represented the experience of those with ethnically diverse backgrounds, at a national level as well as being a qualified practitioner. I have worked in public sector services, third sector women’s services and the community on race issues and have always straddled Private services for my delivery of bespoke equality training packages. I feel my experience could be helpful in many ways.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 2 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

As a Public Governor, I aim to improve, enhance and maintain the quality of treatment and care of those who live in the Bury constituency. I believe that I have the correct balance of skills and experience to fulfil the responsibilities of this role and commit to representing the views and wishes of everyone in the Bury constituency equally. These skills and experience were gained representing patients and carers in Bury since 1984.

Elected: December 2023; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

I became aware of the role of a Public Governor through my work as a volunteer at Fairfield Hospital.I believe that my role as a Volunteer responder at the Hospital's Welcome desk has put me in a unique position to see how patients and visitors view the experience of their time at the Hospital. Though the Hospital gives excellent clinical care, patients often tell us of their experiences, sometimes dissatisfaction and sometimes simply ideas they may have to improve the service. As a Public Governor for Bury constituency I will be very proactive in listening to the views of both users and potential users of the local NHS and hopefully play a useful part in developing a local health service that both patients and the NHS wish to achieve.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

Looking after others is a vocation. Medicine and empathy go hand in hand. It is not enough to cure people’s physical illnesses, their mental well-being is also important. I have experienced the fantastic care and dedication of all the staff from the doctors and nurses to the junior doctors to the nursing assistants employed by Northern Care Alliance. I have been impressed by their cheerfulness, friendliness, and empathy, and, of course, by their skill and knowledge.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

I was born and raised in Rochdale, educated in Bury and attended Medical School in London. Health and Social Care services are under severe pressure, contributed to, in part, by poor decisions on hospital bed numbers, career development and workforce planning. I welcome the opportunity to be a critical friend to the Governing Board and to use my experience to try and raise the standard of care for the people of the NCA from “Requires Improvement” back to “Outstanding”.

Elected: December 2023; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

For the last two years I have had the privilege of serving on the Council of Governors as a public governor. I have attended numerous meetings in the trust to champion the cause of patients and our members. My main priority that our patients are treated with urgency in the time of huge waiting lists in the NHS and making our Non-Executive Directors accountable to the governors. I have experience undertaking a Non-Executive Director role and am aware of governor duties by my time as a school governor.

Elected: December 2023; Re-elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

I am passionate about Oldham and the health of the people that live in the town, especially people suffering from mental health issues. I am a CBT/EMDR Therapist and work with the Oldham community, supporting and helping them regain their zeal for life again. I am aware that there are quite a number of people who have been unable to access any services, due to culture or family difficulties, or just being unaware of what support is available. I would like Oldham to become a town that is forefront in supporting people with mental health issues and if possible open a HUB, or drop-in-centre so that anyone can access support when they need it. 

Elected: January 2022; Re-Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

I have been working as an interpreter for the NHS for over 23 years, and I am passionate about sharing my experiences and insights to help support our local community. Additionally, I have had the honour of being elected twice as a Public Governor, which has allowed me to further advocate for the needs and concerns of the people we serve.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

My experience in media has equipped me with the skills to effectively communicate, listen, and represent diverse perspectives. These are critical skills for being an effective governor. In my efforts to aid communities in Oldham, I have worked closely with various groups, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met. I understand the importance of fostering community relationships and the impact it has on our healthcare services. I pledge to be a dedicated and transparent governor, ensuring that the Northern Care Alliance reflects the priorities of those it serves.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 2 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

I have so much passion, dedication and commitment to making the patient experience in hospitals top notch. Currently, I'm a University student in Manchester studying to become a doctor. Therefore, making connections is a perfect opportunity for my future occupation as I will have a greater understanding of how to treat my patients due to learning from the amazing NHS Staff. Having a strong relationship with people in the trust has given me the chance to be come up with new and exciting ideas for sickle cell disease and special educational needs/Disabilities as I am very intuitive to make sure everyone is educated in medical conditions that aren't spoken upon. The meetings are great as discussing with everyone is amazing, you can see different viewpoints which can be very insightful.

Elected: January 2022; Re-Elected: December 2023; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

I’ve lived and worked in Greater Manchester for over 40 years and am passionate about providing excellent health and social care, especially for the most vulnerable, whose voice often goes unheard. Accessing the right services, at the right time and place, is crucial in improving the patient’s journey to recovery and wellbeing. As a governor I will work hard to represent the interests of patients in developing services and work collaboratively with others to shape future Trust plans. I will ensure that proposals are fed into the community and that the community and patient voice is heard and influences the delivery of services locally. I fully believe in good governance of public services. I will work to ensure transparency in decision making and hold the board to account for the Trust’s performance.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting​​​​​

With over 39 years of experience in the Nursing profession, and having joined Salford Care Organisation since 2003, I have witnessed and participated in the transformation of the organisation becoming the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and have seen the challenges the hospitals face and the incredible opportunities to improve patient care, staff welfare, and financial sustainability. My primary focus will be in improving patient outcomes by ensuring that the hospital continues to provide top-quality care, is transparent in its operations, and responsive to the needs of both staff and the public, therefore demonstrating our Trust values – CARE, APPRECIATE, and INSPIRE. By putting patients and staff at the heart of every decision, I believe we can foster a caring, innovative environment that benefits all. 

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting

I am a neurology consultant who trained locally and has been based at Salford since 2007. In addition to my clinical role, I enjoy teaching, mentoring, innovation and research. I am also a Schwartz round facilitator promoting compassion and kindness within the work place.I feel very much part of my local community and have volunteered in different local charities over the years. I have always been keen on building bridges between people and communities. I believe that having gentle and open conversations is important to address any issue or challenge. For me working in a peaceful and positive environment is key. I also believe that wanting to be heard and feeling valued and respected are essential needs to all of us.Sometimes courage is needed to ask difficult questions and bring about real change, but if fairness and inclusion are the main goals, it will always be worth the challenge. My role as a doctor, colleague and member of the public, taught me the importance of listening and taking time to get to know each other. By listening and sharing, we can make our organisation a safe, effective and fulfilling place to be.

Elected: December 2023; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

I am passionately curious and stay with problems. It is important to not stop questioning as curiosity has its own reason for existing. I strongly believe we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. In the light of the Lucy Letby case, the independent report by Barrister Mr Carlo Breen into the Trust’s historic management of concerns in relation to a Consultant Spinal Surgeon, and others; I believe it is time we make Executive Boards accountable for their actions. Those who know me, know I speak my mind.

Elected: December 2023; Re-elected: November 2024: Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting.

With a background as an Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioner and education lead within the NCA, and as a senior lecturer in universities, my experience has instilled in me a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics within healthcare, from delivering frontline services to shaping educational strategies. As a governor, I will be committed to amplifying the voices of our staff and community, ensuring that the Trust remains responsive to the diverse needs of staff, patients and their families. My role as an education lead has sharpened my ability to foster collaboration and innovation, qualities essential for navigating the evolving landscape of healthcare. I am dedicated to promoting transparency and inclusivity in healthcare governance, advocating for policies that prioritize patient welfare and support healthcare professionals. I believe that the diverse expertise of our Governors should be balanced with the opinions of their service users: the individuals and communities they serve. Together, let us shape a healthcare environment that is not only effective and efficient but also compassionate and responsive to the aspirations of the community we serve. 

Elected: November; Term of Office: 3 years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members; Meeting 

I have worked for the Trust for 15 years and I am a hard working, polite, honest, well-liked and trusted member of the radiology administration team based at Fairfield General Hospital. I am always looking for further ways to improve my knowledge, learn new skills and be a better version of myself. I believe that this experience would be invaluable and provide a clearer view of how communication and ideas can affect the entire Trust and patient care as a whole. 

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 2 years, ending at the conlusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting.

I would like to serve the staff and Trust by continuing as a staff governor alongside my employed role as the RCO Governance Manager. We have come through a major challenge in the form of the pandemic and moved into another difficult time financially, I feel it’s important to ensure that we don’t lose sight of quality, patient and staff experience due to financial pressure. The financial recovery has to be balanced with quality and we need to seek assurance so we do not lose sight of that. The voice the staff gives me needs to resonate at the Council and Board. This will be the focus for the next few years and gaining that feedback on quality and experience will be vital to the Trust’s future plans and to maintain the high standard we set ourselves. The Rochdale Care Organisation staff are vital to the getting great patient outcomes and it is a privilege to help be that voice for staff and the patients.

Elected: January 2022; Re-elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members; Meeting

As a non-clinical member of staff who has worked at the NCA for over 5 years as the Governance Manager for Patient Access & Administration, I want to represent the people who I work alongside and have regular interactions with at Rochdale. Living locally means I have family and friends who all use the Trusts services, and I am passionate about helping improve the standards of care and safety provided to them and ensuring all our patients get the highest quality of care. I will work closely with and listen to all my colleagues at Rochdale so I can feedback to the Trust, via the Council of Governors, your views and ideas. I will help the NCA consider your views when responding to any challenges it faces as well as supporting and informing you of the Trusts future plans.

Elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 2 years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

Working in the Royal Oldham Hospital has truly opened my eyes to the daily struggles of healthcare as a whole. I want join the governors not as a listener but as a voice for our workers, our hospital and our community. I want to make you proud to be working in the hospital once again. I want to look at how the pressures of our wards can be helped, where funding is being spent and how can I help you in your jobs. I want to cascade information to our workers in a more timely manner and make it more accessible for those without IT access. 

Elected: December 2023; Term of Office: 3 years, ending at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Members' Meeting

I have worked as a physiotherapist in the NHS for over 19 years, and within this time I have worked on every NCA site and been an active member of Staff Side. I have previously held the position of staff Governor at Bury Care Organisation, and historically at Oldham Care Organisation. I believe this demonstrates my understanding and commitment to the role, and my confidence and ability in holding the Non-Executive Directors to account. As we continue to evolve as one very large organisation, with national pressures to do more with less, I am keen to be part of ensuring that within the NCA the staff and patient interests remain at the forefront of its decision making. Whilst I will wholeheartedly represent all staff within the organisation, I would like to specifically increase the recognition and understanding of our AHP workforce, and ensure its valuable voice heard at all levels of discussion. 

Elected: January 2022; Re-elected: November 2024; Term of Office: 3 Years, ending at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual Members' Meeting