Have your say on local NHS community services

Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust suggested that the following article might be of interest to readers of my blogs, and although this blog is particularly aimed at hospital services I cannot believe that anyone with an interest in the hospitals in West Cumbria would not also be interested in the activities of the Partnership trust. So I am extremely happy to use it.

You can have your say in how your local community health services develop by becoming a member of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – and have a chance to win £100 of M&S vouchers in our prize draw.

Your local NHS services, including community hospitals, community services such as district nursing, health visiting, children’s services, community dentistry, learning disability and mental health are now delivered by Foundation Trust.

The Foundation Trust is inviting anyone over 14 years old who lives in Cumbria or who cares for a person living in the county to become a Member.

It’s free to become a member and you get the benefits of the NHS discount scheme at a number of high street and online stores – saving you money on everything from meals out to holidays. And if you become a member before June 24, 2011 you will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of M&S vouchers.

Plus you have the opportunity to get involved as much or as little as you like in the shaping of community health services in your area.

As a member of the local community, you will have a voice in how these health services develop to meet the needs of you, your family, your friends and your neighbours.

A Foundation Trust is still part of the NHS family, but it has some freedom from central Government control. Foundation Trusts can decide how to spend some of its money in partnership with local people.

Currently there are 8,000 members including service users, carers, staff and members of the public – but they are looking to recruit many more to reflect the interests of all the services provided by the Foundation Trust.

Some people like to get very involved, going to special members meetings or by nominating or voting for governors who advise the board of directors. Others prefer to sit quietly in the background and only contact the Foundation Trust if there is something they feel strongly about.

This summer the Foundation Trust will be taking their roadshow out to events and venues across Cumbria where you can find out more about becoming a member and sign up on the day – but you can do it now, online at www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk, by calling the Governor and Membership Support Office on 01228 603890 or email

communications.helpdesk@cumbria.nhs.uk

It’s your local, community health service – have your say on its future.