TRUST INVITED TO APPLY FOR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST STATUS

East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust has been invited to apply to become a NHS Foundation Trust. The way in which these new Trusts are run, give staff, patients, carers and members of the public a greater say in how health services are developed. The main purpose of NHS Foundation Trusts remains the treatment of NHS patients. If the application is successful the organisation will become an NHS Foundation Trust from 1 April 2008.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Apr 2007, 15:40 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:42 BST

Local people are given a voice via a "membership" made up of staff, patients, carers and members of the public. Members can elect governors from the membership onto a Board or Council of Governors. This Board or Council of Governors is responsible for working with the Board of Directors and ensuring the views of the wider community are taken into account. They also appoint the non executive directors to the Board of Directors. Members can put themselves forward to stand for election as governors.

Judith Clabby, Director of Corporate Services who is coordinating the application said, "In a nutshell, becoming an NHS Foundation Trust will give us more freedom and local control and make us more accountable to local people. Staff, patients and the public, as members and governors, will have a greater influence in what we do in the future."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over the coming months the Trust will be inviting local people to become involved and to register their interest in becoming members.

Judith added "We want to encourage local people to become members and to get as involved as much or as little as they like. As a member you will receive regular information about our services and can be involved by attending events, answering surveys or giving feedback and contributing ideas for developing services and other specific projects. Membership is free."

From July through to October this year, the Trust will be publicly consulting with staff and members of the public about what they think of the Trust's vision for the future and the structure it proposes to use as an NHS Foundation Trust. During the consultation period the Trust's management and senior clinical staff will be holding public meetings and speaking at local events around East Sussex.

Judith Clabby said "We want to hear from people about what they think of how we are developing our services and we want to know whether the structure we hope to put in place when we become an NHS Foundation Trust is right for East Sussex. Before we start this formal consultation we also want to hear from people about what they think are the most important aspects of hospital services for local people so that we can reflect these in our vision for the future. Please contact us either by email to [email protected] or in writing to the Membership Office, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, telling us what is most important for you when you need hospital care. You can also express an early interest in becoming a member using the form on the Trust's website www.esht.nhs.uk/ft