As an NHS Foundation Trust, we have established a Council of Governors which ensures that the views of our members, as well those of the wider community, are represented and to help the Trust shape its plans for the future.

The Council is made up of 35 governors, each representing a constituency or group. The composition of our governors has recently been revised to represent further geographical areas, following the acquisition of North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 1 June 2021.

The role of the Council of Governors is set out in the NHS Act 2006 (as amended) and as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

It includes:

  • Appointing and, if appropriate, removing the Trust chairman and other non-executive directors and holding them to account for the performance of the Board of Directors
  • Deciding the remuneration and allowances and other terms and conditions of office of the chairman and the other non-executive directors
  • Approving (or not) any new appointment of a chief executive
  • Appointing and, if appropriate, removing the Trust’s auditor
  • Receiving the Trust’s Annual Report, including Annual Accounts, at a general meeting of the Council of Governors
  • Providing views on the Trust’s forward plan
  • Holding the non-executive directors, individually and collectively, to account for the performance of the board of directors
  • Representing the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public
  • Approving significant transactions (example Acquisitions and Mergers)
  • Approving an application by the Trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution
  • Deciding whether the Trust’s non-NHS work would significantly interfere with its principal purpose, which is to provide goods and services for the health service in England, or performing its other functions
  • Approving amendments to the Trust’s constitution.

Click the image below to watch a short animation about the role of members and governors at Mersey Care

The next Governor Election will take place in Spring 2025.

For information click here.

You will need to be a member in order to stand for election. If you are not currently a member but would like to be please click here.

If you have any questions or would like any further information about the Council of Governors or becoming a member or Governor, please contact the Corporate Affairs Team by emailing: Merseycare.CoG@merseycare.nhs.uk or calling 0151 471 2303.