15.08.14
More patients having their say about NHS foundation trust services
Approximately 33,000 more people have signed up to have their say on how their local NHS foundation trust is being run, new figures from Monitor have revealed.
Data released by the regulator highlighted that in March 2014 there were 2,231,708 members of foundation trusts in England, compared to with 2,198,943 foundation trust members in March 2013.
Within these figures it was highlighted that last year 1,555,995 were patients or members of the public, but this has increased to 1,567,198 in 2014.
The greatest percentage increases in members were at Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (37%) and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (34%).
Patients, carers, members of the public and foundation trust staff are all eligible to become members of foundation trusts, and by doing so have more of a say on how hospitals and other services are run.
Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor, executive director of patient and clinical engagement at Monitor, said: “Becoming a member of a foundation trust is one way for patients to have a say in how their local NHS services are run. It gives them the chance to vote on their representatives on the board of Governors and influence the decisions management take, so it is great news that more people are becoming members.
“I would encourage everyone to get in touch with their local foundation trust to find out how they can get involved.”
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