Governors for Reading

Dave Dymond

"I am proud of Royal Berkshire Hospital. Having the best specialist care locally is very important to me. As everyone knows when it comes to life threatening emergencies, specialists are needed at once to save life, promote full recovery and minimise any long term damage.

I know that spare money is scarce in everyone’s budget, every penny has to be accounted for and spent effectively and efficiently where it can do the most good. This is why scrutiny and stewardship of the financial process has to be at its best and balanced with any medical provision.

I want to make sure RBFT provides the right services for local people. Having more than thirty years in the fire service, I have seen the work of the fantastic nurses and doctors in the A&E department and I now want to make a more direct and personal contribution to the Trust."

Carl Bruce

“I am a long term resident of Reading and want to use my time as a governor to contribute towards the continuing excellence of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, and the community as a whole.

I am a Business Development and Construction Director, and throughout my career have worked on many healthcare projects, in the areas of design, build finance and operations. Having worked closely with several Trusts of all sizes to achieve this, I have an excellent understanding of the complex challenges the Trust faces, and how difficult it can be to coordinate a seamless strategy in terms of healthcare delivery. I am passionate about the NHS and want to help the Trust continue to build further on its achievements and develop into a real centre of excellence for Berkshire.

My community is enormously important to me, and the position of the Trust will always have a major influence on the community’s happiness. Becoming a governor allows me to give back to the community in the most important way, through enabling the Trust’s continuing success, and helping to ensure that patients receive the best healthcare possible, and are treated with dignity and respect.”

Margie Cutts

“I am a retired chartered accountant and have previously acted in a voluntary financial capacity for a local charity. I have lived and worked in Reading for nearly 40 years and have seen many changes to local health services.

I believe the level and breadth of provision has continuously improved and I am interested in maintaining this in the present financial climate and beyond. At the same time I appreciate the need to further my understanding of health policy and clinical governance. I have the time, interest and commitment to make a contribution in any way possible.”

Muhammad Abid

"I am a consultant in communicable diseases / public health covering West Berkshire area. I have held this post for the last 13 years and during this time have been an active member of different committees including Infection Prevention & Control Committee of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.  This experience has equipped me with public health and people skills which will be beneficial to the Council to deliver its function effectively and efficiently. 

I am married to a consultant psychiatrist and have two daughters, one of them has just qualified as a doctor and other is a final year medical student.  I am service user of the local hospital as well and very well aware of the quality issues and concerns facing patients in the current NHS changes. I strongly feel that with my professional background and links with local community and hospital I can fulfil the role of Governor competently and assist the Council to discharge its function." 

David Cooper 

"Given the public and professional concerns about the impact of the NHS reforms set out in the Health and Social Care Bill, it will be a major challenge to maintain the high standards of healthcare currently delivered by the Trust.

In my view, the most important factors in achieving this will be:

• full engagement of all professional staff, trade unions, patients and local people
• effective targeting of inequalities and disadvantaged communities in planning and delivering health care in Berkshire
• strong partnership and communications with local organisations working to improve the health and well-being of all the people of Berkshire.

I have over 30 years experience managing major projects in the private and public sector. I was Programme Director for the Department of Health Change Programme (Phase 2) and have managed several local health care improvement initiatives. Through this work I have learnt that consultation and open dialogue are key to successful change and improvement.

As a recently retired local resident, with strong community links, I would like to use my experience and knowledge to help the Trust as it develops its strategies, plans and priorities to manage the challenges ahead."