Our leadership and governance

How our trust is governed

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is managed by the Trust Board, which is led by the chairman and consists of executive directors including the chief executive and non-executive directors. The Trust Board is supported by a number of sub-committees each of which is chaired by a non-executive director.

We are a Foundation Trust which enables greater local accountability and greater financial freedom. The Council of Governors is part of our governance structure and holds the Trust Board to account. This means it has a number of duties which include the appointment of the non-executive directors and external auditors and the ability to scrutinise the performance of the Trust Board. Some of our governors are elected by the trust’s public and colleague membership, while others are appointed by partner organisations.

The trust is organised into six clinical service groups. They are:

  • Children, young people and families services Group – including Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and maternity services
  • Clinical support and cancer services group
  • Medical services group – including A&E services
  • Mental health and learning disabilities service group
  • Neighbourhood services group – including minor injuries services
  • Surgical services group.

Our trust constitution sets out the fundamental principles and processes by which our organisation is governed. The constitution and standing orders are posted on our publications page.