Board Committees
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Dorset County Hospital) Board approves, a schedule of matters which it reserves to itself. These include the power to set the vision, strategic aims, objectives and budget for the Trust.
Some matters are delegated to Board Committees, which operate within defined terms of reference. You can read a summary of committee responsibilities or find further information below.
The Trust’s Board Committees are:
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is a committee of the Board of Directors responsible for overseeing, monitoring and reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management and internal control framework and systems and areas of statutory and regulatory compliance at Dorset County Hospital and the external and internal audit functions. This includes security management and counter fraud.
There are three Non-Executive Director members of the Committee, all of whom are independent. The Chief Finance Officer and Director of Corporate Affairs attend meetings. Individual officers attend to present specific items.
Read the Audit Committee terms of reference.
Quality Committee (in common)
A ‘committee in common’ is a collaborative arrangement whereby Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare each have an established statutory Quality Committee which operate with aligned terms of reference, a common agenda and convene at the same time. Each Committee makes its own decisions regarding its respective organisation, but the shared discussions can lead to more consistent and aligned actions.
The Committee acquires and scrutinises assurances that the Trust has a combination of structures and processes at and below Board level that equip it to deliver high quality clinical services and provides further scrutiny of the quality of services.
This Quality Committee is supported by the Quality Governance Group, which meets monthly to examine the internal quality and clinical processes and provide an in-depth review of data to ensure the effectiveness of the systems operated by the organisation.
The membership is made up of a mix of Non-Executive and Executive Directors.
Read the Quality Committee terms of reference.
Finance and Performance Committee (in common)
A ‘committee in common’ is a collaborative arrangement whereby Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare each have an established statutory Finance and Performance Committee which operate with aligned terms of reference, a common agenda and convene at the same time. Each Committee makes its own decisions regarding its respective organisation, but the shared discussions can lead to more consistent and aligned actions.
The Committee advises and provides assurance to the Trust Board on matters relating to all aspects of financial and operational performance and delivery of cost improvement plans. The committee scrutinises and approves investment plans and business cases and oversees compliance in respect of estates, health and safety, emergency preparedness and response and joint ventures
The Committee’s membership is made up of a mix of Non-Executive and Executive Directors.
Read the Finance and Performance Committee terms of reference.
Strategy, Transformation and Partnership Committee (in common)
A ‘committee in common’ is a collaborative arrangement whereby Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare each have an established statutory Strategy, Transformation, and Partnership Committee which operate with aligned terms of reference, a common agenda and convene at the same time. Each Committee makes its own decisions regarding its respective organisation, but the shared discussions can lead to more consistent and aligned actions.
The Committee advises and provides assurance to the Trust Board on delivery of the Trust’s strategic objectives and priorities and the One Transformation Approach.
The Committee maintains oversight of the programmes of work in respect of digital; net zero; new hospitals programme and quality improvement and ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives and priorities, and oversight of all collaboratives and partnership arrangements.
The Committee’s membership is made up of a mix of Non-Executive and Executive Directors.
Read the Strategy, Transformation and Partnership Committee terms of reference.
People and Culture Committee (in common)
A ‘committee in common’ is a collaborative arrangement whereby Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare each have an established statutory People and Culture Committee which operate with aligned terms of reference, a common agenda and convene at the same time. Each Committee makes its own decisions regarding its respective organisation, but the shared discussions can lead to more consistent and aligned actions.
The Committee advises and provides assurance to the Trust Board on the production and delivery of strategies and plans related to people, culture and organisational development and oversees key workforce performance indicators. The scope of the Committee includes matters related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, annual reporting and compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements.
The Committee’s membership is made up of a mix of Non-Executive and Executive Directors.
Read the People and Culture Committee terms of reference.
Remuneration and Terms of Service Committee
The Board has established a Remuneration and Terms of Service Committee which is responsible for appointing Executive Directors and reviewing and determining their remuneration and terms of service.
All Non-Executive Directors are members of the Committee. The Chief Executive has a right to be in attendance as a member of the Committee when other Executive Director appointments are being determined and may be invited to attend when the remuneration of the other Executive Directors is under discussion.
Read the Remuneration and Terms of Service Committee terms of reference.