Become a member
Applying is quick and easy and will allow you to do the following:
- Receive our members only newsletter
- Vote in election for the Council of Governors
- Consult on the Trust’s strategic plans
- Attend members’ only events
- Participate in discussion groups
- Gain access to information on involvement opportunities
- Stand as governor
- Qualify for NHS discounts
Introduction
We have worked hard towards becoming an NHS Foundation Trust (FT), so that you can be more involved in our future. FTs are designed to give greater freedoms to NHS organisations, moving from national to local control. FTs allow patients, staff and local people to sign up as members who vote and/or stand as Governors and get involved, strengthening the links between hospital and local communities.
Monitor, the independent body which regulates NHS FTs, approved the Trust’s application at its Board meeting on Wednesday 29 September 2010.
Meet our council of Governors.
Benefits of being an NHS Foundation Trust
Foundation Trusts are designed to give greater freedom to NHS organisations and are part of a wider programme to move from a nationally controlled service to one that is locally led.
Achieving FT status provides the following benefits and freedoms:
- being free from central government control and able to decide how to improve services with our partner organisations and local communities,
- retaining any financial surplus for reinvestment, enabling the Trust to spend the money on developing and improving services to meet the needs of its patients,
- being accountable to local communities, who will elect Governors to be involved in advising on the Trust’s strategic direction and plans,
- local people can become members, giving them the opportunity to tell the Trust their views and opinions about its hospitals, receive up to date information about services and be consulted on future developments within the Trust.
Member involvement levels
It costs nothing to be a Member and it doesn’t need to take up much time. Involvement levels are detailed below:
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Level 1
Newsletter and voting information only.
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Level 2
As Level 1, plus the occasional consultation, invitations to members’ only events and the opportunity to join discussion groups.
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Level 3
As Levels 1 and 2, plus information about involvement opportunities, developments in your area(s) of interest and the opportunity to stand as a Governor.
To become a FT member, you need to be over 16 and live in our local catchment area.
