As a Foundation Trust we have more freedom from central government control, though we remain fully part of the NHS. Foundation Trusts are duty-bound to deliver free care, based on need, not ability to pay, but they area more accountable to the local community. This is because local people and staff can become members of the Trust and elect representatives to serve on the Council of Governors or even stand for election as a governor themselves.
2019 Election of Governors Results
The WMAS Governor Elections were held between Tuesday 5 November and Thursday, 28 November.
Nominations were sought in the following electoral areas in the Public Constituency: Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire & Worcestershire and Staffordshire. The results are set out below:
All newly elected Governors will serve from 1st January 2020.
| Constituency | Governor Elected |
| Birmingham | Jeanette Mortimer |
| Black Country | Samuel Penn |
| Coventry and Warwickshire | John Davies |
| Brian Murray | |
| Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire | Judy D’Albertson |
| Staffordshire | Eileen Cox |
| Uday Kumar Katkar |
Nominations were sought in the following electoral areas in the Staff Constituency:
Emergency & Urgent Operational Staff & Support Staff
Emergency & Urgent Operational Staff: Sarah Bessant has been elected.
Support Staff: Matt Brown has been elected.
The regulations governing this election can be obtained from Mi-Voice (address as below).
The Returning Officer for these elections was Tony Slater of Mi-Voice, Epsilon House, Enterprise Road, Southampton Science Park.