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You are here  : Home Press 2009 Press Releases 2009 It’s not too late to join!
It’s not too late to join!
Written by Communications Team   

Come and join up as a member – it’s not too late! That’s the message from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust as the Trust approaches 23 August - the end of the 12 week period of public consultation on the Trust’s plans to become a Foundation Trust.

Membership Manager Melanie Perry said: “Come and support your local hospital and sign up as a member and you’ll be helping us become a Foundation Trust! We need a minimum of 3,000 members to join from right across our catchment area which will help us form better relationships with our local community. As a member, you’ll not only be helping us, you’ll receive regular information about the hospitals and what we are doing, you can stand to be a Governor and you’ll be entitled to join the NHS discounts and benefits scheme giving you discounts from many high street names and local businesses.”

Becoming a Foundation Trust will give the hospital trust more independence from government control – in particular, any financial surpluses will be retained and invested by the by the Trust rather than any surplus being returned to the Department of Health, which is currently the case. Being a Foundation Trust will allow quicker decision-making allowing the Trust to be more innovative without having to follow a lengthy process in order to develop services. Very importantly, through its elected members and governors the Trust will be more accountable, and able to respond to, the needs of the local community.

Completed membership application forms need to be returned to Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust, via FREEPOST. Anyone who would like a form can phone: 01932 723850 or sign up via the website at: www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/foundationtrust.