Become a member
Being a member of a Foundation Trust gives you the chance to have your say about how it is run.
Here, you will find information about what being a member means to our patients and the local community, and the way you can help us decide how the future will look.
On this page
- What are NHS Foundation Trusts and how do they work?
- How do you become a member?
- What will becoming a member mean to you, our patients and the local community?
- What will I need to do as a member?
- How does it work?
- Who can become a member?
- Medicine for Members events
- Our latest AGM
- Elections
- Contact details
- I want to become a member
What are NHS Foundation Trusts and how do they work?
NHS Foundation Trusts are free from government control and able to develop services to suit the needs of their local community. They are still part of the NHS family and continue to be subject to NHS quality standards, performance ratings and systems of inspection. Most importantly, these Trusts are accountable to staff and local people through members and an elected council of governors, who work closely with the Trust’s board of directors to influence decision making and strategic planning.
How do you become a member?
Becoming a member of our trust is simple and free.
All you need to do is complete a form expressing your wish to become a member and return it to us.
Contact the Membership Office to request an application form.
Contact membership office
FREEPOST NAT14353,
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust,
Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
Sheriff Hill,
Gateshead,
NE9 6BR
Once we have received your completed form, we will confirm your membership and send you further information.
What will becoming a member mean to you, our patients and the local community?
As a member you:
- Can have your say in how the Trust develops its services
- Will receive regular information on Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Can become involved in specific projects where your personal views on our services will offer a valuable perspective
- Will receive invitations to events, meetings such as our annual general meeting and presentations on health issues that interest you
- Will receive invitations to meet your governors to discuss any issues
- Be able to vote in elections to the Council of Governors
- Be eligible to stand for election to the Council of Governors
- Be able to attend regular meetings
What will I need to do as a member?
How involved you become is entirely up to you – there is no requirement to attend meetings or take part in elections. You may simply wish to be kept informed of developments and issues via the newsletter.
How does it work?
Our membership is made up of staff, public and patients. We also have a council of governorsâ¯which is made up of governors who represent our staff, members, the public and key stakeholders.
Find out more about the Council of Governors
We also have a Board of Directors which has primary responsibility and accountability for the operation of the Trust.
Find out more about the Board of Directors
Who can become a member?
Membership is open to anyone who:
- is over the age of 16
- lives within our defined membership area
- has been a patient of the Trust, or the carer of a patient, at any time during the seven years preceding the date of application
- is employed by QE Gateshead (all staff are automatically members unless they choose to opt out).
Medicine for Members events
The Trust holds Medicine for Members seminars which involve a series of talks and seminars on clinical, public health and healthcare topics. Members are given the opportunity to learn about matters relating to their own health, the health of those around them and how their healthcare is being delivered and might be delivered in the future.
The Trust had its first Medicine for Members Event in recent times on Monday 5 December 2023. We were delighted to be joined by some of our members who had the opportunity to meet with the Trust’s Governors before receiving a presentation from the Trust’s research and development team. This was an informative presentation outlining some of the trials undertaken by the team as well as plans to further develop research in Gateshead, focusing on future studies that we will offer patients, as well as getting more patients and staff involved in research.
Our next event is planned for Monday 11 March 2024 which will enable members to find out more about our community services and the support available to keep people safe at home. For more information and details on how to reserve a place, please use the link below.
For any questions or topic suggestions, please contact the Corporate Services office.
Medicine for Members Event – Monday 11 March 2024Our latest AGM
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Members’ Meeting took place on Wednesday 20 September 2023 at 09.30am to 11.00am.
Member, the public, Governors, staff and valued stakeholders were invited to join the Board of Directors formally presents our Annual Report, Accounts and Quality Account for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The agenda and the papers for the meeting are available below.
Annual General Meeting / Annual Members Meeting Agenda and Papers – September 2023If you have any queries regarding the event please contact the Corporate Services office on 0191 445 6043 or email [email protected]
Elections
Election to the Council of Governors 2023
The nomination period for our Council of Governors elections closed on Wednesday 27 September 2023. Please see below the statements of the nominated candidates:
Statement of Nominated Candidates (pdf)
The Central, Eastern and Staff constituencies are uncontested as highlighted in the report below:
Elections will be held in the Western and Patient / Out of Area constituencies. Voting will open on Thursday 19 October 2023 and voting instructions will be distributed to qualifying members by post or by email.
All votes must be received no later than 5.00pm on Monday 13 November 2023.
The elections for the Western and Patient / Out of Area constituencies have now closed. Please see the Report of Voting below.
You can find out more about what the role of a Governor involves in our Governor information pack for prospective candidates.
Our Council of Governors’ Annual Report for 2021/22 will also provide you with an insight into the work and activities of our Governors over the last financial year:
Council of Governors Annual Report 2021/22 (344kB pdf)
Contact details
If you have any queries on the election process, please contact Civica Election Services either by calling 0208 889 9203 or by emailing [email protected].
You can also contact the Corporate Services office, on 0191 445 3712 or 0191 445 6043 email [email protected]
I want to become a member
Online form
You can also contact the Corporate Services office by telephone at 0191 445 6043 or by email at [email protected].
The postal address for the membership office is FREEPOST NAT14353, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, NE9 6BR.