Stephen Twist - former NHS Governor proving impartial insight

25/03/2026

Today, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Board live-streamed their meeting for Trust members and the public. To see my running digest, visit the link above and glance down the comments section. What is my report as a former CDDFT governor? Meeting management by Interim Chair - an excellent example of careful, non-intrusive leadership enabling the meeting to progress smoothly and timely. Progress by the Executive - hard to discern at this early stage. There are clear issues that remain regarding breast surgery resolutions, cancer diagnosis target dates, hospital acquired infections, neonatal issues, staffing and staff satisfaction. But I feel optimistic - especially as the new NEDs (at least those attending) get to work and keep momentum for positive change.

23/03/2026

This Easter Sunday, departing University Hospital North Durham to visit Darlington Memorial Hospital. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090966633307

Bikers travel from Durham to Darlington hospitals delivering Easter eggs to hospitalised children

23/03/2026

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Board meets in public this Wednesday from 9:00am at Prospect House, Durham.

For openness and transparency the meeting will be live streamed on the Trust’s website and YouTube channel. Here is their YouTube link:

We are an integrated acute and community Trust providing healthcare across County Durham and Darlington and surrounding areas, in hospital, at home and in community settings.

07/03/2026

In our communities, we care deeply for one another. We look after our families, our neighbours, and those who need our support. Today, we have a powerful opportunity to continue that tradition of compassion.

By registering as an organ and tissue donor, you could one day save or transform up to nine lives — and offer hope to many more.
Every family has the right to make their own decisions based on their faith, their values, and their understanding. Many people are surprised to learn that most major faiths and community leaders support organ donation as an act of charity, generosity, and helping others.

What matters most is having the conversation with your loved ones and making your wishes known. Your choice can bring comfort to your family, strength to our communities, and life to those waiting.
Please take a moment today to register your decision — whatever it may be — and encourage those around you to do the same. Together, we can give the gift of life. https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/

25/02/2026

NHS England is planning to dismantle the patient engagement portal supplier market in a bid to save £11m and directly integrate appointment management into the NHS App.

23/02/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lr71q0v99o

Hospital bosses also say they will not appeal a judge's finding that they harassed female nurses.

11/02/2026

It seems that the new Council of Governors will meet at Darlington Memorial Hospital tonight at 1700 hrs. Borsha, your newly-elected Darlington representative shall be attending. From the CDDFT web it seems that the Trust hasn't shared details publicly, shared an agenda or taken any steps to permit online observation. Why might this be? Is this consistent with the Trust's commitment to openness?

The Council of Governors (CoG) works alongside the Trust's Board of Directors to ensure that local communities and staff have a greater say in how services are developed and delivered by the Trust. The CoG is made up of local people, staff members and representatives of local stakeholder organisatio...

09/02/2026

https://www.hsj.co.uk/workforce/nhs-sheds-thousands-of-managers-and-support-staff/7041045.article

The expansion of large parts of the NHS's non-clinical workforce has started to reverse for the first time in years, figures show.

08/02/2026

Ian highlights this development between Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals in London. With Darlington Amazon flying their first deliveries, how about linking our 11 GP practices to Darlington Memorial Hospital's pathology department by drone?

What started as a slightly sci-fi experiment above central London is quietly turning into everyday NHS logistics.

31/01/2026

At midnight last night my role as your publicly elected governor of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust came to an end, and I had the privilege of handing over to my highly competent successor, Borsha Sarker who I know will make a tremendous impact and provide considerable support for the people of Darlington. Borsha and I (joined later by Keith and Stephanie) were able to spend updating downtime after a full day of excellent Governwell training. This is Borsha's second term of governance and she already signals special insight into the workings of the Trust that will support you over the next three years.

It has been an honour representing your interests on the Board of Governors. Not always easy - holding the non-executive directors to account has been a challenge, not least due to their (and the management's) failure to respond/ lack of diligence/ absence of curiosity - and in some cases - serious incompetence. Hopefully, the new management and vastly improved team of NEDs will make the task of oversight easier for Borsha.

I will remain as a correspondence resource for my friends on the Council of Governors, to support them should they need me. And for you, my faithful supporters, my thanks for putting your trust in me to represent your interests and take forward your concerns.

31/01/2026

On Thursday I attended the Organ Donation Joint Working Group Webinar, setting out the group's proposals for this year and beyond. The principal issue is a reduction in donation registration, leading to a shortage of tissue for donation. If you are reading this, please don't rely on the fact that current legislation provides for 'deemed consent'. Sign up. And tell your family that you have signed onto the register and why. This way, following your death, your family will not feel conflicted or left in any doubt about your intentions.

27/01/2026

New AI notetaking tools being backed by the NHS could help doctors spend up to a quarter more time with their patients.

NHS organisations across England are being urged to take advantage of a new national registry of 19 suppliers for the technology, which captures clinician–patient conversations and uses AI to accurately generate real-time transcriptions and clinical summaries, while ensuring data protection.

Embracing the cutting-edge tools, known as ambient voice technologies, could save clinicians up to 2 or 3 minutes for each patient consultation, freeing up more time for them to see other patients.

On Friday 16 January 2026 NHSE published a new self-certified registry for the technology, which requires suppliers to comply with standards on clinical safety, technology and data protection.

The registry of suppliers is being launched following NHS guidance published last year advising NHS organisations to use AI notetaking tools which are safe, evidence-based and deliver benefits for patients.