MEMBERS of the trust that runs Morecambe Bay’s hospitals can apply from this week to serve on the governing body.

Nominations are now open for six seats on the trust’s council and must be submitted by July 18.

Professor John Hutton, acting chair of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Foundation Trust, said: “Our governors provide us with an additional layer of scrutiny to ensure that decisions taken by the executives and the board result in improved care for patients.

“We want people to take up the challenge to help us continue to drive forward the improvements to ensure we continue to make a difference to patients across our area.”

The trust has a total of 30 governors, made up of six members of staff, 17 members of the public and seven ‘partners’ appointed by organisations who work with the trust.

The currrent vacancies include three public governors from the Lancashire and North Yorkshire constituency, one public governor from the South Lakeland and North Cumbria constituency and two staff governors.

To be eligible to stand for election a nominee must be a member of the trust from the constituency they are standing for, have no prior convictions and must not be a governor of another foundation trust.

Drop-in sessions, for those interested to find out more, will be held as follows:

* July 7 - Conference Room, Level 3, Furness General Hospital - 1-2.30pm and 5.30–7pm

* July 8 - Seminar 2, Education Centre, Royal Lancaster Infirmary - 1–2.30pm and 5.30pm–7pm

* July 10 - Boardroom, Westmorland General Hospital - 1-2.30pm and 5.30–7pm

For more information contact trust secretary Paul Jones on 01539-716 684 or email paul.jones4@mbht.nhs.uk