The NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Cromer Hospital, now has more than 16,600 members, made up of 10,626 public members, and 6,000 staff members.

Membership is free and open to anyone over the age of 12 who lives in the Norfolk and Waveney area. People living in Norfolk and Waveney can apply online for membership at www.nnuh.nhs.uk

Being a member of the NHS Foundation Trust means people can:

• Get involved in areas of the trust that interest them
• Receive regular updates about the work of the trust's hospitals
• Receive invites to events for members about health topics
• Vote in elections for Governors and stand for election as a Governor

All NHS Foundation Trusts have a Council of Governors which is able to influence how hospital services are provided at a strategic level and shape the future of the Trust. The Board of Directors is responsible for the day-to-day management.

Allan Turner, 53, of Beetley, near Dereham, has become the 10,000th member of the public to join the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

"I was pleased to take up the opportunity of becoming a member of the NHS Foundation Trust. The development of local health care services should be influenced and supported by the community that it serves. Membership of the trust is a positive way of ensuring that the local voice is heard," he said.

Chairman David Prior said: "We wish Allan a very warm welcome as our 10,000th public member and extend our thanks to everyone who has taken the time to become a member of the NHS Foundation Trust. Public membership is important because it builds stronger links between our hospitals and the communities we serve as well as giving people more democratic input into their local hospital services."

Patients rate the quality of care offered by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as the best in the country out of all district general hospitals nationally. The findings come from the 2007 Healthcare Commission national inpatient survey.