Foundation Trust bid

The site, www.esht.nhs.uk/ft will give local people information about NHS Foundation Trusts and how the public and patients can become members of our NHS Foundation Trust '“ enabling them to play a vital role in shaping the future of our services.

Judith Clabby, Director of Corporate Services who is coordinating the application said, "Becoming a Foundation Trust means more freedom and local control which will make us more accountable to local people.

Patients, public and staff, as members and governors, will have a greater influence in what we do in the future."

Local people are given a voice via a "membership" made up of staff, patients, carers and members of the public.

Judith added "Through the website, we want to encourage local people to become members and to get as involved as much or as little as they like. As a member you will receive regular information about our services and can be involved by attending events, answering surveys or giving feedback and contributing ideas for developing services and other specific projects. Don't forget that membership is completely free."

The website features more information on Foundation Trusts and aims to answer your questions. There is also a link for you to provide feedback as well as an online registration form.

From 9th July this year, for a 12 week period, the Trust will be publicly consulting members of the public and staff about what they think of the Trust's vision for the future and the structure it proposes to use as an NHS Foundation Trust. During the consultation period the Trust's management and senior clinical staff will be holding public meetings and speaking at local events around East Sussex.

If the application is successful the organisation will become an NHS Foundation Trust from 1st April 2008.