Patients have a voice in running the NHS

Jul 4 2008 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

PERHAPS one of the biggest changes in the past 60 years is the focus on patients being given the opportunity to help shape the NHS and the services they receive.

Patient Choice means you can now choose where to receive your treatment and some NHS trusts have changed the way they are run to give patients more control.

Northumbria Healthcare became a foundation trust in 2006. This gives the trust greater freedom to plan local services, allowing it to respond to the needs and wishes of local communities.

Foundation status gives us access to investment to build on our clinical successes and improve services for the people of North Tyneside and Northumberland. The trust, through its members, has a greater say in how money is spent and freedom to reinvest surplus money in improving services. For instance, we’re currently looking at proposals to invest in a modern emergency care centre.

Foundation trusts recruit members and from these members governors are elected to represent the views of the local community and staff. The trust’s 69 governors represent geographic areas covered by the trust and the group is split into eight constituencies.

Governors work with the trust to help shape services, in which their support and contribution is valued.

Anyone wanting to contact their local governor or interested in becoming a member should contact the Foundation Membership Office by emailing foundation@ northumbria.nhs.uk or writing to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 7/8 Silver Fox Way, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE27 0QJ.