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Information for governors

Governors form an integral part of the governance structure that exists in all NHS foundation trusts; they are the direct representatives of local interests in NHS foundation trusts. They do not undertake operational management of NHS foundation trusts; rather they provide challenge to the board of directors and collectively hold them to account for the trust’s performance. It is also the governors’ responsibility to represent their members’ interests, particularly in relation to the strategic direction of the trust.

The majority of governors are elected by an NHS foundation trust’s members, to represent its patients and service users, staff and general public. The remainder are appointed from key local organisations, such as primary care trusts or local council.

Governors’ statutory duties are set out in the National Health Service Act 2006. Monitor recognises that governors have a wide range of other duties and we appreciate the importance of preserving the autonomy of NHS foundation trusts. For this reason, the majority of Monitor’s work with governors focuses on carrying out these statutory duties.