Meet our Public Governors

Paul Smith

I am a retired practice manager, having managed a medical practice in South Liverpool and Frodsham Cheshire.  Before that I had a previous career in the shipping industry spanning some twenty-five years.  I ended that part of my work life as one of the terminal management team working for P&O Ferries on the Liverpool docks; the same part of the docks my father, a stevedore, worked on loading and unloading the ships in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

It did feel a little strange when I changed my career path via a late start university degree, I was the oldest student in the town or so the ‘proper students’ told me!  But it started my career in the primary care sector of the NHS, did I tell you my Mum used to be a doctor’s receptionist!  She ‘managed’ a small single GP surgery, I ended up managing partner for the largest practice in Cheshire with 11 GP’s, 65 staff and a new health centre.  I very proudly took my mum to see my practice in Liverpool once.  Very nice she said, what do all those computer things do? I told her they help us to organise the practice, automate prescriptions and appointments, do all the letters etc.  Very good she said, ‘I used to do all that with a typewriter and a notebook!’  I was never sure she was that impressed with modern developments.

Being at the heart of NHS primary care for the past 20 years I have seen huge changes and I see more change coming with the advent of the Strategic Transformation Plans (STP). The proposed changes to the structure of the NHS both locally and nationally will have a huge impact on service provision in the future.  The current pandemic was not foreseen, nor the changes that have been forced upon the NHS with the need for social distancing and all of the other restrictions imposed.  We, as governors, still need to ensure the needs of the public and patients are first and foremost in the planning process.  As a governor for just over two years I have seen the skill and professionalism of the executive team and the managers and staff, both medical and nonmedical, on the front line of community and mental health services adapt and change long term working practice to these new demands.

The governors are very well supported by the Mersey Care Corporate Team, and we are all encouraged to undertake both internal and external training sessions.  The internal or induction training gives governors a valuable insight into the workings of the various divisions within the organisation.  The external training, via NHS Improvement, allows us to better understand the role and duties of a ‘governor’.  I feel this extensive training has now equipped me to continue to contribute and whenever possible put the voice of the patient to the forefront of the decision-making process and maintain a watchful overview of the important decisions of the Board. 

First term 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2028

Susan Martin

I have been involved in the field of good mental health for over 40 years. I have seen trends come and go, new ideas and treatments touted, services altered due to changing ideas and fluctuating finance. I have worked in the statutory and voluntary sectors. Throughout all this I have remained committed to helping the person at the centre of it all, the patient. I am still down at grass roots level, albeit with an awareness of the constraints under which we all have to work.

It is at times hard for large organisations to remember why they were set up, and what was their primary purpose. I am always happy, in I believe a positive manner, to help remind them.

Third term from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2027

Chris Whittle

I have resided in Knowsley for 40 years. Proactively working within the field of community care for 35 years within Knowsley. Representing / advocating for people in their community.

I am a retired mental health nurse. I am also the main carer for family members with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

I have nine years prior experience of being a Governor and holding the position of Lead Governor for six of them. I am currently a member of Healthwatch Knowsley; being part of their management team as Mental Health and Military Veteran’s Champion. I am a military veteran and proactively support veterans and families. I have also set up Boots on the Ground project in respect of suicide awareness of military veterans.

As a Governor, I maintain a high level of professionalism, dignity and respect for the position. I have a comprehensive understanding of foundation trusts, which is vital in fulfilling my primary role of representing members, patients, carers and the public in holding the Non-Executives to account for their performance delivering the highest standard of patient and carer care. 

First term from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2027

Alan Griffiths

I am the parent / carer of my 39 year old son who has a severe learning disability, autism and epilepsy and who is under the care of Mersey Care. I was a founder Governor of North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (formerly 5 Boroughs). Before that I was the Chair of Governors at my son's special school. I have been a Trustee of National Mencap, Chair of Liverpool Mencap and I remain Chair of St Helens Mencap. I sit on the Cheshire and Merseyside Transforming Care Board for people with a learning disability as well as autism alongside officers of Mersey Care.

Although I am passionate about learning disabilities, and especially the health inequalities that they undoubtedly suffer, I have also become very aware of mental health issues over the last few years. COVID for example has highlighted these issues with many more people presenting with mental ill health than ever before.

I feel that the experience I have gained over the years, along with the passion, will enable me to be a useful and effective Governor of Mersey Care. I understand the needs and wants of patients and carers as well as the constraints of the service providers. I believe I can use this experience and understanding to help ensure the service users get the best possible care using the available resources.

Second term from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2028

Daniel Baker

I am a father of four beautiful children, and I have a loving partner, I am an average guy who loves the NHS and wants to change it for better.

I am a stock and systems clerk for Wincanton Screwfix and a regular guy, I like painting models and spending quality time with my kids and play grand strategy games in my spare time. I am proud to say I have contributed many hours for voluntary causes, particularly during my youth where I was awarded Halton Young Volunteer of the Year 2005 winner for my effort spent working with amazing young people with disabilities.

I am a father of four children first and foremost and understand the frustration of sometimes being able to see someone in regard to children with disabilities and the general problem of seeing a GP for a loved one or child who may need an appointment. I would like to understand better first hand how this happens and look at ways we can do things better. As a stock and systems clerk, details are important. I would like to go through every last piece of information and see from an outside perspective if I can make a difference in making our NHS work better for us.

First term from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2027

Patricia Roberts

Warrington has been my home for over 25 years, and I care passionately that citizens receive timely, high quality, outcome focused and person centred care. I have worked in heath for all of my career, both within the private sector in pharma and medical communications and for the NHS at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust and the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network.  Currently I work as an advisor to companies developing digital solutions in healthcare and as an assessor for organisations providing funding opportunities for healthcare innovators. I am a board member of a grassroots disability charity which advocates the social model of disability and support the board of the Digital Health and Care Alliance who champion the role of evidence based digital advancements in health. In recent years, I have gained a PGCE in Innovation and Improvement Science and volunteer at an NHS Trust in their quality improvement team. 

I am passionate to use the insights, skills and experience I have gained to support excellence in service provision and to represent public members' views from Halton, St Helens and Warrington. I am excited about the opportunity this position offers me to connect with the community to ensure their voice is heard.

First term from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2028

Liam Wood

I believe I have the qualities to give carers and patients a voice that deserves to be heard and opinions on local services across to those who need to listen.

As my first job I spent seven years in a busy NHS hospital working in outpatients department and latterly in theatres. The last five years I've been employed by the Co-op, firstly as a community champion and recently into retail management.

I'm an avid Evertonian and a busy dad of four beautiful children; two of those having disabilities and complex health needs.

In the role as a Governor, I hope to gain the confidence and experience to represent the wider community fairly and equally.

I'm an extremely good listener who fairly assesses any situation before making any comment. I'm someone who treats everyone fairly as I believe you treat people how you'd like to be treated.

I'm someone who takes on board criticisms to improve myself and my skills.

First term from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2027