THE search is on to find people willing to give up time to represent hospital patients.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for NHS champions to become public governors.

Halton Hospital, Warrington Hospital and the Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre has 16 public governors who ensure that decisions made about the hospitals are in patients’ best interests as well as being a vital ambassador for their communities.

Steve McGuirk chairman of Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There has never been a more important time to step forward for your local NHS.

“We are working to continually improve and develop our services, focusing on the way we deliver care and recruit, train and grow our wonderful and dedicated workforce. At the same time we face significant challenges both financially and operationally.

"We really value our governors and the individuals who give up their time to hold our non-executive directors to account, help us define our strategic direction and provide that critical voice for the local populations that we serve.

“If you are passionate about the NHS and your local hospitals then becoming a governor is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and experience as well as being our patient and public ambassadors ensuring that their interest remain front and centre of all we do.”

Governors work in groups to help patients and members of the public by scrutinising the quality of care, communications and engagement.

There are currently seven positions up for election including three in Halton.

Potential governors must be at least 16 years old, live in one of the areas that are up for election and be a foundation trust member. Membership is free and involves completing a simple form.

The trust has around 12,000 members.

The Halton vacancies are in Norton south, Halton Brook and Halton Lea.

The role is voluntary. Travel expenses are reimbursed and free governor parking permits are provided.

Visit whh.nhs.uk to enrol as a trust member before October 17 through the membership and engagement section of the website.

Alternatively, residents can click on the 'join us' button on the front page of the hospital's website.

Nomination forms will be issued to all members from mid-September to complete if they wish to stand.

A postal ballot will take place in November.