NHS foundation trusts are new organisations that offer local people more responsibility in the management of their local health services. In order to ensure that health services are well run, local people, patients, carers, students, alumni, staff and the past patients are offered the opportunity to become members and elect a governing body – this means that an NHS foundation trust’s members have a say in how the trust is run.
Anyone over the age of 14 can join the Trust*. Members will receive regular updates on the trust activities, be invited to provide feedback on aspects of the trust’s performance through questionnaires, receive invitations to trust events such as public meetings, have use of our members’ resource room (plans are being developed) and be eligible to vote for representatives on the Board of Governors. Members over the age of 18 are eligible to stand for the Board of Governors, and all members are eligible to vote for governors.
Membership is free, and it is possible to be a member of more than one NHS foundation trust. Membership is divided into four groups:
1. The Public
Any of the following: Patients (past or present), Carers (e.g. parents of child who has used our services), UK residents. Individuals will not identify which of the above categories they belong to, but to ensure we got a good mix of people, we will be dividing people into the following geographical areas:
· Camden
· London (other than Camden)
· UK (other than London)
2. Staff
3. Students
Students will automatically be members unless they let the membership office know that they do not wish to be.
4. Alumni
Former students, not currently on a course at the thrust we are consulting on whether these categories are useful and appropriate.
There will be some exclusion on membership. For example, these will include criminal convictions, and abuse of NHS staff at any trust
We hope you would like to join us as a member. If you have any further questions about any aspects of membership please contact:
Helpline: 0870 703 6261
Email: tavi@nhs-membership.co.uk
Web: https://www.nhs-membership.co.uk/tapt
You can fill in the form online by clicking on the link above, or on the telephone by calling the number above, or you can download the form and post it by clicking on the link below:
4.1 Membership
No Member may represent himself, in writing or verbally, as belonging to any category of membership of the trust:4.1.1 in a manner which could associate the trust with personal opinions expressed by the member.
4.1.2 where this might be misconstrued as a title.
4.1.3 when this might imply a professional qualification. It is emphasised that the letters MTPFT, or similar, must not be used in such a way. This prohibition shall not apply to a factual statement of any type of membership of the trust in the appropriate paragraphs of books of reference or in a curriculum vitae.
If you have news that might be of interest, or want to write a letter for publication, the editor would be keen to hear from you (please see back page of newsletters for contact details).
The Tavisotck and Portman NHS Foundation Trust Constitution
There are no planned elections until 2009
