By Gillian Ellison

Published at 11:11, Thursday, 05 July 2012

PEOPLE in Copeland are being encouraged to become a member of the new health trust due to take over West Cumberland Hospital.

trust talk: Kimberley Robson and Amanda Sherwin, who were at West Cumberland Hospital to recruit members, chatted with Ann and Alan Sayle

Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust is taking over the North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust as a result of the local organisation’s long-running financial problems.

The new Trust wants to recruit 10,000 members by December 1 when it officially acquires the North Cumbria trust.

Members will be kept informed of developments and can also get involved to help shape local hospital services by being a part of the decision-making.

A roadshow – giving out information and answering questions – last week called in at West Cumberland Hospital. It will be back at the hospital and also in Whitehaven town centre, Egremont and Seascale areas next week.

Dave Evans, medical director at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “Becoming a member is a real opportunity for residents to truly shape local health services and it is through our membership that we are accountable to local people. Our members elect our governors who give their views to help develop our priorities.

“We’re going through lots of exciting changes so it’s a great time to join us. It’s absolutely free and you can be involved as much or as little as you like, from simply receiving newsletters and voting papers to donating your time as a member volunteer.”

Membership is free and is open to anyone aged 12 or over. Contact the membership team on: 0800 085 5950, e-mail: foundation@northumbria.nhs.uk or visit: www.northumbria.nhs.uk/cumbriamembership to sign up.

The roadshow will be in the following places: Monday, July 9 and Tuesday 10, Whitehaven Market Place; Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13, West Cumberland Hospital; Saturday 14, Egremont; Sunday 15, Seascale.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk