Council of Governors' Elections 2025 to 2026

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is holding elections for its Council of Governors.

The Council of Governors plays a vital role in representing the views of patients, families, staff, and the wider public, helping to shape the future direction of the hospital.

• Governors act as a critical friend to the Trust, holding the Board’s Non-Executive Directors to account and ensuring the voices of our members and the community are heard.
• They are involved in setting the long-term vision for the hospital, supporting membership engagement, and contributing to key decisions about the Trust’s leadership and strategy.
• Governors attend at least four formal Council meetings each year and are supported with a comprehensive induction and ongoing training.

• You must be a member of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and aged 16 or over. Sign up to become a member.
• Public, patient, and carer Governors must live in the constituency they wish to represent.
• Staff Governors must be employed by the Trust on a permanent or fixed-term contract of 12 months or more.

Patient from London

If you will be 16 or older on 1 March 2026, are a patient or have been a patient in the last ten years, and live in London (any London Borough, including the City of London), you can stand for this seat.

Two Patients from Home Counties

If you will be 16 or older on 1 March 2026, are a patient or have been a patient in the last ten years, and live in the Home Counties (Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex (East and West), you are eligible to stand for one of these two seats.

Parent or Carer from London

If you are the parent or carer of a patient whose most recent GOSH appointment was within ten years of 1 March 2026, and you live in London (any London Borough, including the City of London), you are eligible to stand for this seat.

Parent or Carer from Home Counties

If you are the parent or carer of a patient whose most recent GOSH appointment was within ten years of 1 March 2026, and live in the Home Counties (Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex (East and West), you are eligible to stand for this seat.

Public from London

If you are a member of the public with an interest in GOSH, will be 16 years or older on 1 March 2026 and live in London (any London Borough, including the City of London), you are eligible to stand for this seat.

Public Home Counties

If you are a member of the public with an interest in GOSH, will be 16 years or older on 1 March 2026 and live in the Home Counties (Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex (East and West), you are eligible to stand for this seat.

Three Staff

If you are a member of staff on a full time contract or a contract over 12 months, you are eligible to stand for one of these three seats.

If you are interested in standing for election, please complete the nomination form.

For more information or support with your application:

Email: foundation@gosh.nhs.uk

Your voice matters. Help us shape the future of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The results of previous Council of Governor elections can be obtained from the Corporate Affairs Team:

Email: Foundation@gosh.nhs.uk