To achieve NHS Foundation Trust status, we need to recruit a large membership that is made up of local people and representative of the community we serve.

Membership is free and does not bring with it any benefit or privileges when using our services.

What do members do?

Members will have a recognised voice in our decision making and in how we plan future services. They can be involved as much or as little as they like - from simply receiving information about the hospitals to taking part in projects to improve or develop services.

Some of the things members can do include:

• Receive, and be invited to give feedback on, hospital newsletters, annual reports and business plans

• Be invited to act as a ‘barometer’ of public opinion on the Trust’s reputation and services

• Be able to vote in Governor elections

• Be eligible to stand for election to the Council of Governors

Members might also wish to take part:

• In surveys, questionnaires or consultations

• In focus, discussion, advisory or user groups

• At open days and other educational events

• By recruiting more members

• By helping to collect and channel the views of other members of the public on a variety of issues including service quality and service provision

• By being an ambassador for the Trust

• In fundraising

• By joining our volunteer team

These are some of the ways members can play a real role in the Trust’s forward planning and development of services, and be able to hold the Board of Directors to account for the delivery of the Trust's strategy.

Who can become a member?

We are looking for people from every walk of life who want to support their local hospitals and help shape their future. We want to create a membership that is
interested in our services and reflects the diverse communities found across Sussex. We are especially keen to include minority groups and would particularly welcome interest from these sections of the local community.

We propose grouping members in three different types of constituency:

• Public

• Patient and Carer

• Staff

We are proposing that to be a Public member you must be at least 16 years old and live in one of the five local council areas where the great majority of our patients live. These are:

• Adur

• Worthing

• Arun

• Chichester

• Horsham

However, we know we have many patients who live outside these main areas and we want to include everyone. So, if you do not live in any of the five areas above but you have been a patient or carer at one of our hospitals since 1 January 2008, you can become a member of the Patient and Carer constituency.

We hope that all our staff would wish to become members and we will ensure that all staff groups are given an equal opportunity to participate. We therefore propose that all permanent staff and those on fixed-term contracts of 12 months or longer will automatically become members. Those who do not wish to do so will be able to opt out.

We are proposing this Staff group be sub-divided into six classes of member based on the following broad groups:

• Medical and Dental (registered practitioners)

• Nursing and Midwifery (registered)

• Additional Clinical Services

• Scientific, Technical and Professional (including Allied Health Professionals and pharmacists)

• Estates and Ancillary

• Administrative and Clerical Staff  

Join us now!