Membership rises to over 24,000 at Norfolk Foundation Trust

More than 24,000 people are members of the Norfolk and Norfolk University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following a recent recruitment campaign.

The Trust has over 17,300 public members and nearly 7,000 staff members, which includes contractors and volunteers, at both Cromer Hospital and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Membership is free and open to anyone aged over 12 years who lives in Norfolk and Waveney. Members have the opportunity to get involved with the Trust by attending health talks and events, receiving the Trust's newsletter and feeding back about the standard of hospital services.

Chairman, David Prior, said: “I am delighted that our membership is now over 20,000. It is really important that the Trust reflects the priorities of its members, especially as the Coalition Government will rely less on central performance targets. Our Governors have a very important role in championing these priorities and making sure that the policies and direction of the Trust is in accordance with them.”

The Trust has a Council of Governors, elected by the members, which meets quarterly. Its next meeting is due to take place at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital from 5pm on Thursday 29th July 2010. The purpose of the council is to give local people a greater say in the future of services at the Trust.

At the next meeting, the Governors will be finding out more about the recent White Paper called 'Liberating the NHS', details of a planned consultation on Safety, Quality and Clinical Outcomes and the timetable for the election of three new Governors.

As space is limited, members of the public interested in attending the meeting should contact the Membership Office on 01603 287634 or e-mail membership@nnuh.nhs.uk

For more information on becoming a member, go to www.nnuh.nhs.uk