1. Governor elections: Achieving the best Kim Hutchings
Head of Development and Engagement

2. Background
First 10 NHS foundation trusts (FTs) authorised in April 2004
First FT governor elections held in 2004
First report on membership recruitment and engagement published by MES, ERS and Monitor in 2011
MES/ERS follow-up report on turnout and behaviours in NHS foundation trust elections, October 2017 (based on data from 3939 elections)
Today there are 230 FTs, each with a council of governors.
On average there are 26 governors per FT.

3. The research
2017
2011
From Electoral Reform Services and Member Engagement Services

4. A caveat
“Turn-out in elections is one measure, but only one measure, of the health of a democratic system.”
Chris Hopson, CEO, NHS Providers

5. The big picture 2004 2010 2017 Average governor election turnout rate
48%
25%*
15%
Average number of candidates per seat
3.6
2.8
2.3
Uncontested or unopposed governor elections
Staff
Patient
Public
24%
47%
58%
65%
54%
46%
With thanks to Member Engagement Services and Electoral Reform Services
3,939 elections ERS have administered for 146 NHS foundation trusts from 2011 to June 2017

6. Election turnouts and candidates per seat

7. By comparison General election 2017 2015 2010 68.7% 66.1% 65.1%
EU referendum
72.1%
English local government elections
35.1%
Combined Authority mayoral elections
27.8%
Scottish council elections
46.9%
Welsh local government elections
42.0%

8. Uncontested or unopposed governor elections

9. Going back to the beginning
“It is vitally important that the electoral community is aware of the purposes and reasons for the election, how it will be conducted and why it is important that they are involved. A voter education programme should therefore be considered……..”
NHS Foundation Trusts: A guide to the governance arrangements, 2003

10. Final thoughts
“We know that the public is interested in our NHS and we know that, where they feel they can be influential, they will participate.”
Chris Hopson, CEO, NHS Providers