Cathy is CEO of local independence charity, Ruils and has worked in the Richmond Borough for over 18 years.
Having experienced the compassionate care of Kingston hospital first hand, Cathy was motivated to become a governor to gain a better understanding of the hospital processes and to bring her experience of the voluntary sector to aid greater integration between hospital and community services.
Bonnie has been a Governor since 2015. Bonnie and her family have all experienced great care at Kingston Hospital ranging from having babies (two generations) to successfully being treated for cancer.
Her working and voluntary experience of the healthcare system and the local/national patient partner voice has enabled her to work with the Council of Governors to ensure that the Trust is delivering quality services to patients and that patients are involved in its quality improvement work.
Anne has had 49 years of NHS experience at all levels (including District HR director and Patient Services Director), has been an unpaid carer from 1953 and is a Volunteer Ambassador for Carers UK.
Anne has interests in equality, diversity, communication. Presently working on Partnerships and brings a vast knowledge, experience and understanding of the NHS and the care sector to her role. She also has a wealth of experience working with non-profit healthcare organisations.
Michelle has lived in the Kingston Borough, for 20 years. Her employment and volunteering roles have been focused on working in the charity sector for causes related to health, disability or social care.
As Michelle has worked in roles supporting carers and people with health conditions, she believes passionately in the need for proactive engagement to a wide range of voices in the running of services.
Michelle has a patient first approach as a former lay advisor on medical trials and as a cancer survivor and has worked with organisations that complement the work of hospitals to provide best all round support to patients and their families.
Michelle is currently chair of the Governors’ Quality and Scrutiny Committee.
Catherine has lived in the Kingston Borough for 15 years and was elected Governor in November 2021. She believes that great healthcare is critical to having a thriving local community and considers her role as governor critical in representing the voice of the patients and their families.
She has a business background in the health industry having worked in operations and strategy within the pharmaceutical sector. During the height of the pandemic, she was part of a team advising central NHS/Government on the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Aisling (Ash) is a volunteer in the Emergency Department (ED). She wanted to be a governor to look at ways of further improving the overall experience of patients and their accompanying family and friends, particularly in ED.
This position gives Ash the freedom to explore, along with the Council and various Committees, innovative ways of working and collaborating. The pandemic has taught her that when we need to move quickly and make changes, we can.
Anne is happily retired after many years working in BBC Research Libraries. Anne has lived in North Kingston for 40 years and her family have had great service from Kingston Hospital over those years.
Over recent years, Anne has sat on the committee of her GP’s Patient Participation Group and she is also the chair of Diabetes UK Kingston Group. In these roles, Anne has come across many users of Kingston Hospital and as a governor feels she can provide a bridge between the Hospital and these and other community groups, to improve communication and patient experience.
Raju is a Volunteer Hindu Chaplain at the hospital and a Minister of Religion as a Hindu Priest. He has lived in Surbiton for over 50 years and is a community representative for the Indian Elders in the Kingston Borough.
Raju’s experience and skills include strong links with the members of the ethnic minority community, specialising in equality and diversity and working for Kingston Council on the Health Overview Panel as Chairman and as an elected Councillor.
Rebecca was elected in November 2021. As a local Mum, whose children were all born at Kingston Hospital, Rebecca has fond memories of her experience at the hospital. Appreciating the first-hand care she received, she welcomes the opportunity to dedicate her time and efforts to support Kingston Hospital achieve its vision in working together to deliver exceptional, compassionate care – each and every time.
Rebecca brings her professional experience of stakeholder management, board strategy development and liaison with regulatory bodies to her role as a governor. She is also Vice-Chair Governor at a local Academy Trust School within the Kingston borough.
Birth. Death. Critical illness. All of life’s key events, all witnessed by care staff. I myself was born at Kingston Hospital and witnessed my father pass away there. The care I’ve seen showcased by the staff at Kingston is second to none. I am able to make this assessment as I was a Care Quality Commission hospital inspector and I am acutely aware that the ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC that endows Kingston hospital is completely merited.
From my experiences in healthcare, to my will to assist my local community, I am proud to be a governor to offer support, guidance and be a representative for my borough.
Over the last two years, Isabella has been volunteering with various local and national charities, including being a volunteer visitor in Blyth Ward at Kingston Hospital. She has also been appointed as a Trustee to a Multi-Academy Trust that currently runs three secondary schools in Kingston and Richmond.
Isabella is passionate about Kingston Hospital and about effecting change and ensuring positive outcomes. She brings a broad range of experience to the role of governor. Isabella is a Trustee for a national deaf charity and a Non-Executive Director of an international recruitment agency. She is passionate about giving back and making a difference through action and words.
Susan’s professional background is in the leadership of international aid programmes and as Chief Executive of Richmond Citizens Advice Bureau.
For five years, Susan served on the Board of Richmond Clinical Commissioning Group and is now excited to have the opportunity to bring her professional experience, knowledge of the Borough and of health systems, and her passion for joined-up health and well-being services that put the patient first, to help staff and directors make services at Kingston hospital the very best they can be.
Felicity worked in the City for 20 years. After the birth of her 3rd child, she became a community, commercial and family mediator and has also been a governor at another NHS Foundation Trust.
Felicity became a governor at Kingston Hospital as she wanted to use her spare time productively and for a good cause. Felicity enjoys being a governor very much and hopes she can continue to contribute.
Jennifer (Jen) has worked at the Trust since 2009; working as a Ward Clerk, a Physiotherapy Assistant and Receptionist and now managing the admin team in Physiotherapy Outpatients.
Jen felt becoming a staff governor was a great opportunity to boost the profile of our hardworking admin, management and non-clinical support staff and is keen to provide a voice for these staff groups.
Jen has a passion for providing a positive experience for our patients, as well as a drive for supporting our staff, especially post-Covid, by improving staff health and well-being services.
Diane trained as a nurse in the Philippines and came over to United Kingdom in January 2000. She has worked at Kingston Hospital for 21 years, 15 years in the Cardiology ward of the Trust and 6 years as Matron for Cardiology, Respiratory, and Gastroenterology service lines.
Diane decided to be a staff governor for the Nursing and Midwifery staffing group to bring the perspective of a trained nurse from a BAME background.
The skills and experience Diane has gained as a nurse, a manager, and a matron allows her to view strategies and plans from a patient care and safety perspective. She is also passionate about Staff Health and Well-being.
A local authority councillor in Richmond upon Thames since 2006, Piers is currently lead member for adult social care, health, and public health, and chairs the Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board.
A strong advocate for integrating health and care, Piers views Kingston Hospital as a very important partner in the health and care system for Richmond and across South West London. Piers also has governance experience from being a primary and secondary school governor and as a trustee and Non-Executive Director of Richmond Music Trust. He is also an associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Olivia is a student at a local school. She is passionate about debating, as well issues impacting young people.
Olivia was keen to become involved with Kingston Hospital because she wanted to give back to her local community, and hopes that as a young person, she can bring a different perspective to the Board of Governors.
Olivia has volunteered with the youth Healthwatch group ‘Youth Out Loud!’ and is also a member of Kingston and Richmond Youth Council. She uses her experience from these roles to analyse different issues regarding healthcare in Kingston and how they may impact young people.
