NOMINATIONS have opened for people who want to stand in elections to become a governor of Colchester’s hospital trust.

Candidates, who can be members of the public or trust staff, have until 5pm on Friday February 28 to submit their form to the independent Association of Electoral Administrators.

Voting will take place by postal ballot between March 5 and April 9, for 15 public governors and six staff governors at the trust, which runs Colchester General Hospital and Essex County Hospital.

The successful candidates will join the trust's Council of Governors.

It works closely with the Board of Directors to influence decision-making and strategic planning while monitoring performance and holding the board to account.

The trust holds elections for governors every three years.

Its 6,685 public members are eligible to vote for, and to stand as, public governors in Colchester (5 posts); Tendring (5); Halstead & Colne Valley (3); Rest of Essex (1) and Suffolk (1).

The trust's 4,511 staff members are able to vote for six staff governors.

n To stand for election, you have to complete a nomination form.

A form and guidance notes can be downloaded from www.colchesterhospital.nhs.uk/ft_elections2014.shtml

Alternatively, contact Sara Ebsworth in the FT Membership Office on 01206 742347 or by email on ft.membership@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk or call the FT Membership Helpline on 0800 0 51 51 43.