Board of Governors

Public governors

Greater Yeovil 

Ann Beable is Somerset born and bred. Most of her working life was spent as a school secretary. Ann is involved with the Church and the Guide movement and is Chairman of Yeovil Trefoil Guild and a National Trust volunteer. She says: "I have found my time as a member of the Board of Governors of Yeovil District Hospital extremely rewarding, and enjoy representing the public on the Board." Ann can be contacted on Ann.Beable@nhs.net.

Geoff Stroud served in the Royal Navy for seven years and then joined Westland Helicopters in 1958 where he remained until retirement. After retirement Geoff was employed as a consultant by Westland Helicopters organising and managing their pre-retirement courses. His voluntary work has included being Chairman of both the local Diabetic Association and The Children’s Society for a number of years. Geoff can be contacted on vgstroudyeovil@talktalk.net

Martin Ormston. Martin has lived in Yeovil for almost 30 years, working for several major employers in the area before studying law and qualifying as a barrister in 2004. He currently runs his own consultancy business. He and his wife have raised their four sons here, and due to longstanding health problems, has experienced firsthand the service that Yeovil Hospital provides. He has seen many improvements and hopes to contribute to the maintenance of this success in these times of great change and upheaval for the NHS. He can be contacted on mj.ormston@talktalk.net.

Mendip

Hugh Campbell studied Medicine for two years before changing to a Geography Degree. A retired teacher, he says: "I want to maintain/improve Yeovil Hospital. As Head of Department in a large comprehensive school and Local Authority Work Experience Organiser, various areas of my work brought me into contact with local hospitals." Hugh is a member of the Strategy Committee, Membership and Recruitment Committee and the Estate Strategy Project Group. He said: "The latter’s objective is the ongoing development of modern, safe environments for the delivery of health care, in line with the Service Strategy of the Trust." Hugh can be contacted on hugh.campbell1@nhs.net.

South Somerset (North and East)

Anne Bennett, from Coat near Martock, is a member of the Community Links Group connecting the hospital, voluntary organisations and statutory bodies and the Membership Group, working to recruit and communicate effectively with members. Anne has been Chairman of the Friends of Yeovil Hospital since 2002 and was a committee member with The King’s Fund Project for Lydford Ward (7A), Art in Healthcare and the £1.1m Flying Colours Appeal to enhance the healing environment. Anne says that her experience in international PR and marketing, particularly in luxury hotels, health clubs and the travel industry together with her Diplomatic service assist her work at the hospital. Anne can be contacted on anne.bennett1@nhs.net

Gloria Clark is the lead governor was brought up in Somerset and lives in Martock. After graduating in Psychology, she spent a number of years with a London-based market Research Consultancy Company. Following an MBA at Manchester Business School she joined C & J Clark Ltd in Street, where she was responsible for the marketing and development of shoes for young children. She returned to work part-time after having two children managing the company's market research programme. Gloria currently works at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Until recently, she was a Governor at a local secondary school, including a period as Chair of Governors. She has been involved in Yeovil District Hospital's Cancer Services feedback programme, running group discussions and collating findings for staff consideration and action. Gloria can be contacted on gloria.clark@virgin.net

Sue McInnes was brought up in Norfolk. After graduating in Microbiology and biochemistry she spent a gap year in Sudan before taking up employment with Cadbury Schweppes where she worked for seven years in Research, Product Development and Human Resources. She then joined Johnson & Johnson and spent 14 years working in the Healthcare Industry holding a number of positions including UK Country Manager for Mitek Ltd and Marketing Director and Management Board member for Ethicon Ltd. Sue and her family moved to Somerset 11 years ago. Since 2003 she has worked as a Business Consultant and is currently studying for an MBA at Bath University. Sue has been a volunteer at YDH facilitating patient focus groups with the aim of improving cancer services. Sue can be contacted on sue.mcinnes@nhs.net.

South Somerset (South and West )

Margaret Robathan entered the NHS at 18 working at Hammersmith Hospital. Her final job was at Northwick Park Hospital as the Medical Records Officer. She left Northwick Park to raise a family. During this time she embarked upon a BSc with the Open University studying modules in Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry and Health and the Environment, graduating in 1993. She was secretary to the League of Friends at Northwick Park Hospital and until its recent demise she organised the Meals on Wheels drivers for the South Petherton and Shepton Beauchamp areas. She is still a relief driver for the old peoples' luncheon club and writes the health section of her local magazine TA13. Margaret can be contacted on margaret.robathan@nhs.net.

Bill Brown was one of Yeovil District Hospital’s founder governors and was previously a governor between 2006 and 2008. Since then he has been a member of the hospital’s Patient and Public Involvement Group where his duties included being a lay observer on the clinical governance group. A former RAF pilot and jumbo jet pilot for British Airways, Bill lives in Montacute where he is chairman of the village croquet club.

Bill said: “At a time of such significant change in the health service I want to make sure that the interests of Yeovil District Hospital’s members are fully served in the Trust’s plans for the way it provides services in the future.”

Jane Gifford lives in Hinton St George and is a governor of the village’s first school and a trustee of the The Poulett Almshouse Charity. A former head teacher, Jane was appointed by the Queen in 1982 to the role of Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) of Schools – a position she held for 16 years. Since retiring as an HMI Jane has worked as an educational consultant advising on school improvement.

Jane said: “At a time when public finances are so stretched I believe that this opportunity which I have been given to become a governor of the hospital will enable me to use my skills to help ensure that Yeovil District Hospital continues to provide excellent services for the local community.”

Dorset

Ian Fawcett trained in medicine in Cambridge and London and worked in several London teaching hospitals before taking up a Consultant Physician post in Yeovil in 1979. His special interest is in lung diseases and his team introduced new services for lung cancer, asthma, sleep apnoea and an expert nurse specialist service with strong community links. Ian's was a busy clinical career and was combined with active involvement in medical politics at local, regional and national level including education, training and governance. Ian retired from clinical practice in 2005 but is still involved in medicolegal work and has been a trustee of St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice since 2003. He has lived in West Dorset since 1979 and says: "I keen to ensure that YDH continues to develop and expand its services for the local population." Ian can be contacted on ian.fawcett@nhs.net

John Park has lived in northwest Dorset since he was a child. He took early retirement in 2008 after an international career with Shell, working on oil and gas exploration and development projects on five continents. John was trained as a geophysicist and began with Shell as a technical professional, but gradually took on more management roles. His career changed direction in 2000 when John moved into Human Resources, where he worked until his retirement. His last assignment was in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. John also works on the Advisory Committee for JPs in Dorset, mostly involved in recruiting new magistrates. John can be contacted on johnpark@nhs.net.

Rest of England and Somerset

Caro Morgan trained as a Physiotherapist at Guys Hospital, London, qualifying in 1972. Caro worked at Guys and Middlesex Hospitals, specialising in cardiothoracic surgery before moving to Yeovil in 1981 as Superintendent Physiotherapist. She remained at Yeovil, working across acute and community settings until, as Outpatient Therapy Services Manager, she took early retirement in 2004. Caro has 32 years' clinical and managerial experience of the NHS. Her interests include Rehabilitation and the increasing contribution of the Allied Health Professionals within the Health Service. She lives just north of Shaftesbury. Caro can be contacted on caro.morgan@nhs.net

Appointed governors

Caroline Gamlin, NHS Somerset. Caroline is Director of Public Health for NHS Somerset. She studied Medicine at Leicester University then trained as a GP in Peterborough. She worked in Tanzania for a year in a remote, small hospital of 26 beds and subsequently trained as a Consultant in Public Health Medicine. She says: "I have worked in Somerset for the past ten years and have particular interests in child and maternal health and partnership working."

Carolyn Donoghue, University of Bristol. Carolyn is Faculty Manager for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol, a position which she has held since 2005. She is a qualified nurse, having studied in Bristol, before moving into training and later general management. Carolyn completed a masters degree in management in 2004.

Staff governors

Helen Ryan trained as a nurse at Southmead in Bristol, qualifying in 1981. She then worked at St Thomas’ Hospital London, in Accident and Emergency and the Intensive Care Unit, prior to joining the Royal Air Force in 1984. She spent eight years nursing in the Royal Air Force including being based in Cyprus and undertaking aero-medical duties. In 1992 Helen was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross (ARRC) on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to nursing in the Royal Air Force. In 1993 Helen came to Yeovil District Hospital as a Senior Sister for Intensive Care and has undertaken various senior roles within Critical Care since then. Helen has been Nurse Consultant for Critical Care since 2001 and completed an MSc in Health Studies with Exeter University in 2005.

Chris Parker has been a Consultant Urologist at YDH since 1993, having previously lived and trained in and around London. He was Medical Director of Yeovil District Hospital from 2000 to 2003 during a time of great change with the implementation of the NHS plan, falling waiting times, improvements in care and the range of services available at YDH, achievement of three stars and financial balance. He is keen that YDH makes the most of any opportunity to improve patient care while maintaining a good working environment for its committed staff. Chris is married with a son at university. His interests include gardening, cookery, walking and travel.

Jane Johnston joined YDH in 1992 as an information assistant following a varied career in travel, insurance and electronics. She has worked her way up to Senior Analyst in the Clinical Information and Business Intelligence Department. In her role she works very closely with clinicians, finance, governance and trust management in monitoring and analysing activity and helping to develop targets, plans and strategies. 

Steve Wills was born in Yeovil and went to Preston School and Yeovil College. In 1978 he joined the PSA, part of the Department of the Environment, working in military establishments in Corsham, Wiltshire. In 1983 he joined YDH as a maintenance craftsman, was later promoted to charge hand, and in 2004 to supervisor of the maintenance workshops. Steve runs a small group of volunteers who provide marshals/stewards to community events such as street fairs, fetes, and fun runs etc. he is also a steward at Yeovil Town Football Club.

Derrick Howells joined YDH in August 2010. Prior to moving to Yeovil he was at Trafford General Hospital where he began his career as a HCA. He took a path which eventually led to the position of Orthotic Casting Manager at Trafford General. In July 2010 he sought the  opportunity to lead the Plaster Room here at Yeovil District Hospital.