Published on: 25 November 2025
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is calling on people living in six areas of Derbyshire to help strengthen the NHS, by standing in the Trust’s upcoming public governor elections and serving as the voice of their community on health-related issues.
The Trust, which provides a range of community and inpatient (hospital) NHS services including mental health services, learning disabilities services, children’s services, drug and alcohol recovery services and a gambling harms service, is asking for nominations from residents of:
- Amber Valley
- Bolsover and North East Derbyshire
- Derby City East
- Derby City West
- Erewash
- High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.
The Trust’s Governors engage with people in their communities about health services and then feed those local views back by attending the Council of Governors. Governors also hold the non-executive directors to account and serve as ambassadors for the Trust.
The deadline for nominations to be received is 5pm on Tuesday 9 December 2025, with elections taking place in January 2026. Newly elected governors would commence in post on 1 February 2026, joining the Council of Governors for a three-year term of office.
Public Governor roles on the Council of Governors are voluntary positions. Anyone interested in standing as a member of the Council of Governors will need to be registered as a Trust member – this is a simple process that can be undertaken on the Trust website. The Trust welcomes nominations that represent the diversity of our communities across Derbyshire. 
‘Very rewarding’
Susan Ryan is one of the public governors for Amber Valley and the Trust’s lead governor. She said: “I would strongly encourage people to stand in the elections – everyone has a different reason for wanting to be involved including having been employed by the NHS, using Trust services or caring for people who use our services. It is a great way of learning more about the Trust too.”
Selina Ullah, Trust Chair, said: “I would like to encourage local people to stand in the public governor elections.
“It is really important that members of our local communities are represented on the Council of Governors so that they can influence how services are provided and ensure the Trust is listening and responding to issues raised by them.
“Governors bring a wealth of expertise and insight which helps the Trust to be more responsive. Once the elections have taken place, and the results declared, I look forward to working with our newly elected governors.”
The seven constituencies:
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Amber Valley’s governor will represent the views of the Trust members across the wards of: Alfreton, Belper Central, Belper East, Belper North, Belper South, Codnor and Waingrove, Crich, Duffield, Heage and Ambergate, Heanor and Loscoe. Heanor West, Ironville and Riddings, Kilburn, Langley Mill and Aldercar, Ripley and Marehay, Shipley Park, Somercotes, South West Parishes, Swanwick and Wingfield.
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Bolsover and North East Derbyshire’s governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.
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Derby City East’s governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Alvaston, Boulton, Chaddesden, Chellaston, Derwent, Oakwood, Sinfin and Spondon.
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Derby City West’s governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Abbey/Allestree, Arboretum, Blagreaves, Darley, Littleover, Mackworth, Normanton and Mickleover.
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Erewash’s governors will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Abbotsford, Breaston, Cotmanhay, Derby Road East, Derby Road West, Draycott, Hallam Fields, Ilkeston Central, Ilkeston North, Kirk Hallam, Little Eaton and Breadsall, Little Hallam, Long Eaton Central, Nottingham Road, Ockbrook and Borrowash, Old Park, Stanley, Sandiacre North, Sandiacre South, Sawley, West Hallam and Dale Abbey, Wilsthorpe.
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High Peak and Derbyshire Dales’ governor will represent the views of Trust members across the wards of: Derbyshire Dales Distinct Council and High Peak Borough Council.
Learn More
If you are interested in standing a form can be obtained as follows:
- Online: www.cesvotes.com/DHFT2026
- Email: ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com
- Telephone: 020 8889 9203.
Why does Derbyshire Healthcare have governors?
After gaining Foundation Trust status in 2011, Derbyshire Healthcare made a commitment to represent its communities as effectively as possible and promote public awareness of health issues.
Having Trust members – represented by elected governors – is a key way for Derbyshire Healthcare to involve local people in the organisation’s work and ensure that it provides the best possible care and treatment for the people it serves.
The organisation’s Council of Governors is made up of 16 members of the public, six staff representatives and six representatives from partner organisations. Governors are elected by the Foundation Trust’s members and oversee the Trust’s Board, who are responsible for running the NHS services that the Trust is commissioned to provide to the residents of Derby and Derbyshire.
