2000 members for NHS Foundation Trust

As a member of the new NHS Foundation Trust local people, in East Sussex, will have a greater say in how their local NHS service is run in the future giving them 'local choices, local voices'.

The Trust has deferred its application for NHS Foundation Trust status until February 2008 to ensure the application is as strong as possible. This short deferment will provide greater assurance that the Trust's projected financial position at the year end will be achieved and that performance against all quality and safety standards is as expected for the full year.

Judith Clabby, Director of Corporate Services, said, "As an NHS Foundation Trust we will be accountable directly to the people we serve, who can become Members and Governors of the new NHS Foundation Trust. We are thrilled to welcome our 2000th member, but we want a lot more people to show their interest in the way their hospitals are run in the future by joining up. I would urge everyone to sign up as a member as show their commitment to the local NHS services we provide in East Sussex, so we can listen to - and act upon the views of our local community."

Membership is free, people can become as involved as they wish and members will:

be kept up-to-date on news and developments at East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust which includes Conquest Hospital, Hastings, Eastbourne DGH and services at Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield hospitals.

be consulted on future plans and services

have an opportunity to stand for, and vote in, the election of the Council of Governors.

You can become a member of your NHS Foundation Trust:

by filling in one of the membership forms available at the hospitals

downloading the membership form on the Trust website www.esht.nhs.uk/ft

by emailing [email protected]

or phoning 0845 2233099 (at any time).