Do you know what the difference is between a CoG and a CCG, or understand the distinction between an AGM and an AMM? Within the NHS acronyms are widely used for the services it provides and the functions it fulfils. For anyone new to the service the plethora of abbreviations can be confusing.
UK Engage, the fastest-growing provider of electoral services within the NHS, works with Foundation Trusts across the country to manage Governor Elections. Here are a handful of abbreviations that we come across in our work with NHS customers.
AGM: Annual General Meeting
An AGM is a meeting that is held annually to discuss issues and elect new officials. UK Engage helps manage AGMs for NHS Trusts and other organisations in different sectors.
AMM: Annual Members Meeting
An AMM is a meeting that is held annually to give members the chance to hear about what the Trust has done in the preceding year. For Trusts that are experiencing membership issues, UK Engage works closely with membership managers to boost membership numbers and improve engagement.
BoD: Board of Directors
A Board of Directors consists of both executive directors and non-executive directors who collectively have responsibility for leading and directing the Foundation Trust. UK Engage works with NHS Trusts to appoint Governors who are responsible for ensuring the non-executive directors are accountable for the performance of the board in managing the Trust.
CCG: Clinical Commissioning Group
A CCG is a local group of GPs who are responsible for commissioning and overseeing local health services in England. All GP practices must now belong to a Clinical Commissioning Group. UK Engage is working with the NHS Clinical Commissioners to run its Board Elections.
CoG: Council of Governors
This is the governing body that holds the non-executive directors on the board to account for the board’s performance in managing the trust. The CoG also represents the interests of the members and the public. UK Engage works directly with NHS Foundation Trusts to manage the election process of Governors to the board.
FT: Foundation Trust
NHS Foundation Trusts are not-for-profit, public benefit corporations which provide healthcare to patients/ service users. They are part of the NHS and provide over half of all NHS hospital, mental health and ambulance services. NHS Foundation Trusts were created to devolve decision making from central government to local organisations and communities, and operate with a degree of operational and financial independence. UK Engage has held Governor Elections for Foundation Trusts across the country.
FTN: Foundation Trust Network
The membership association for Governors of NHS public provider trusts. UK Engage routinely supports FTN events, we attend seminars and exhibitions to meet leading professionals from Foundation Trusts across the country, and to understand the latest movements within the industry.
HSCA: Health & Social Care Act, 2012
The HSCA is an Act of Parliament which facilitated the most extensive reorganisation of the NHS since its establishment in 1948. One of the critical changes introduced in this legislation was the extension of the roles and responsibilities of elected governors.
KPIs: Key Performance Indicators
KPIs are a type of performance measurement. Key Performance Indicators help an organisation define and measure progress toward organisational goals. Once elected, Governors have a responsibility to help meet the KPIs of their particular Foundation Trust.
If you would like to know more about how we can help your NHS Foundation Trust call UK Engage on 03452935555 or email enquiries@uk-engage.org