St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has this week launched a new membership strategy designed to encourage more local people to have a voice in the running of the services the Trust provides.

Anyone can become a member of the Trust – it’s completely free to join, doesn’t require a major commitment of time, and is a great way to stay updated and find out more about what is happening at the Trust.

St George’s membership community already includes more than 22,000 patients, staff and members of the public, who play an important role in ensuring the hospital meets the needs of the community it serves.

The new membership strategy will involve the Trust improving the way it engages with members, new and existing; as well as developing new opportunities for members to express their views and get involved in the development of services for patients.

St George’s is one of the busiest Trusts in the country – every year, their teams deliver 5,000 babies; see 650,000 people for outpatient appointments; and see 150,000 patients in the Emergency Department in Tooting. As a result, maintaining strong links with the communities the Trust serves is very important – and this is a key focus of the new strategy.

Richard Mycroft, who has lived in Streatham for 35 years, is a publicly elected Governor at St George’s, and is encouraging more people to sign up as members.

Richard said: “People care deeply about their local hospital, including me. Both my kids were born at St George’s; countless friends have been treated there; and within the past few years, two immediate family members have been inpatients there. I’ve never stopped valuing deeply what the NHS does for us all – and I know I am not alone in feeling like this. Becoming a member is a really practical way to show that support.”

Signing up is quick and easy; and by doing so, members can receive a regular e-newsletter, take part in surveys and consultations about the Trust; attend free health talks; and access the NHS Discounts Scheme. Members will also have an opportunity to engage with Governors and the Board at the Trust’s Annual Members’ Meeting held on 26 September this year.

As well as this, members can vote in the Council of Governor elections, and have the opportunity to stand for election themselves.

Gillian Norton, Chairman of St George’s, added: “Our Governors and our Foundation Trust members play a crucial role in reflecting the views of local people, and the 3.5 million people we serve here in south west London, as well as Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and beyond. We know people want St George’s to succeed, and care about the services we provide – and this is something our staff appreciate. Equally, we know that we can always improve, so becoming a member and sharing your views is something we really value.”

A full and summary version of the strategy are available online here: https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/about/foundation-trust/members/ or hard copies can be picked up from the membership office at St George’s Hospital.