This report summarises a survey undertaken of Governors of the new NHS Foundation Trusts. It was undertaken as a personal exercise by Anna Chester, a public sector Governor on Rotherham FHT between May and August 2005. Questionnaires were sent, via Trust Secretaries, to 982 Governors of the, now, 32 Foundation Health Trusts. The purpose of the survey was to elicit the views of Governors - from all three categories: public, staff and nominated – on the best ways they could be supported in their new roles. The 23% response from a real cross section of Governors from NHSFTs across the country is both encouraging and reflective of the enormous commitment and enthusiasm there is on the part of Governors to make these new arrangements work and to play a meaningful and effective part in them.

I understand that the Foundation Trust Network have commissioned a feasibility study to look at establishing a Governors Network and that there is to be a national meeting for Governors in the Autumn to take this forward. I very much hope that our views will contribute to what emerges.

In the course of this survey many Governors suggested that they would value some form of on-line ‘Discussion Forum’ whereby ideas, best practice, problems could be shared. If you are a Governor of a Foundation Trust and would support and find such a facility useful then please let Anna Chester know. You can email her at anna@governorsnetworksurvey.co.uk