Governors for Wokingham
Vera Doe
"As a local member of the public I value
the importance of having an efficient, forward thinking District
General Hospital in the area.
I worked at the Royal Berkshire Hospital
for many years. I feel I can bring this experience to bear in the
role of Governor as I have a good insight into the workings of a
very busy District General Hospital.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital has been an integral part of my
life both as an employer and as a hospital which has served my
family. I am keen to take an active part in assisting the Royal
Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust to build upon the progress it has
made in improving the standards of the hospital to provide a high
level of service to all its patients.
In my view this service should encompass not only effective
treatment methods, using a variety of styles but pastoral care
which is compassionate, understanding and ensures that each patient
can feel safe and well cared for. I feel it is important to ensure
that treatment, information, advice and guidance is the best it can
be. I would like to bring my experience along with my commitment
and enthusiasm to support a hospital which has moved from good to
great to becoming excellent in the future."
John McKenzie
“How will the latest government’s changes to
the NHS impact on YOUR local hospital services?
I spent 36 years of my professional life
working in NHS Pathology departments around the UK. I was also
involved in the UK hospital accreditation programmes, as an
inspector, which allowed me knowledge of many health service
models. I also had the opportunity to make comparisons with other
European countries.
Following this career I managed a large GP
group practice and became involved with the local Primary Care
Trust. This was during earlier times of change for GPs, namely fund
holding and the formation of commissioning consortia.
My years of experience in secondary and
primary care, together with a good understanding of what the
general public needs from the health service (from community
connections) I believe I am able to contribute to the discussions
on the future of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.”
Tony Skuse
"On leaving school, and after a brief stint as a hospital
porter, I was offered a place at the Joint Air Corporations Flying
Training College at Hamble, to train to become a pilot. After
graduating in 1972 I joined British Airways (or BEA as it was then)
and worked as a commercial airline pilot for over 34 years. Flying
really was a dream job; exciting, stimulating, sometimes exhausting
but never boring.
I utilised the long periods in hotels around the world by pursuing
my interest in Science and studied with the Open University. I
gained a First at degree level and went on to gain an MSc in
Medical Research the principle part of which was a long study on
Alzheimer’s disease. After this I was asked to sit on BALPA’s
Medical Advisory Committee.
I retired from British Airways in 2006 and am now able to take a
more active role in the local community. As well as my role as a
Governor at the Trust, I am Secretary of the Wokingham Constituency
Labour Party; I am also Secretary of the Reading branch of the
Fabian Society and Secretary of the Reading Festival Chorus.
My wife and I have lived in Wokingham for 30 years; we have three
daughters and three grandsons who keep us busy in our spare
time."