My name is Stella Benson. I live in Hove. I've joined as a public governor as I am very interested in the community and health.
I am retired. Before my retirement I was the deputy manager of a Brighton GP practice. I retired because I had sepsis and lost both my legs below the knee and all my fingers.
I am very healthy now and am a Patient Educator at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. I sometimes give talks about sepsis.
I am a member of Coasting Together, the user group for the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre for amputees and neurological patients.
I am also a member of ICU Steps for patients who have been in intensive care to meet up about every six weeks to meet other ex ICU patients.
I am involved with the UK Sepsis Trust Sussex Support Group, who also meet every two months.
I live in Hove with my husband and we have two grown up daughters and two gorgeous grandchildren. I really hope I can be of help to the Brighton and Hove community, particularly with regard to disability, now that I've been successfully elected as a member of the Council of Governors.
Watch this short video of Stella talking about her experiences of the NHS and why local people should join as a member.
Video transcript
Hello, my name is Stella Benson and I'm a Governor at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
My role is to represent the views of local people across Sussex to the Trust Board and I'm one of three representatives for the Brighton and Hove area.
The Trust is looking for more people like you to show their support of the Trust and the local NHS by joining as members where you can share your experiences of Trust services to help inform improvements.
You can decide how involved you want to be, you can just receive our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news across the Trust or you might like to be more involved and provide feedback.
Some of the services that the Trust provides includes community nursing and therapy in people's own home. At our inpatient wards and community hospitals, end of life care and a variety of specialist services for adults, children and young people.
My involvement in the Trust began after I was very ill with sepsis, I lost both of my legs below the knee, and all my fingers.
I became a patient at the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre which looks after amputees and neurological patients and is based on the Brighton General Hospital site.
I joined Coasting Together which is the patient user group and has funded amongst many other things, a fridge for the coffee shop, an iPad for patients and staff within the centre to use.
We also arrange social events for users of the centre.
I started to get to know people in the Trust and began to give short talks at staff induction days about my experience as a patient within the community.
I put myself forward for election as a Governor a couple of years ago as I wanted to be more involved with the local NHS and to give back some of the wonderful care and attention that I'd received.
My main interests in the Trust are disability, inclusivity and education. I'm also very interested in the future development of the Brighton General Hospital site.
If you're interested in becoming a member, no special skills or experience are needed. As long as you are twelve or over and have an interest or a connection to the Trust.
And it's completely free and very easy to join. Simply complete the online form on the web link below or if you have any questions or need any help in joining,
call our friendly membership team on 01273 696 011 extension 1520.
Thank you.
