Joanne Turner from Cowes is the 3000th new member of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.
The Isle of Wight is unique because it is the only NHS Trust which provides integrated NHS hospital, community, mental health and ambulance services in England supplying a wide range of services to the Island population and visitors. This means that seamless quality care can be provided both at home and in hospital including transport where appropriate to and from both with local ambulance services.
There will always be some services which due to their specialist nature it is not possible for the NHS to provide on the Island. The IOW NHS Trust already works with the mainland services to provide or support specialist care, but the Trust is keen to keep ambulance, district general hospital, community services and mental health services integrated for the benefit of people living on the Island.
Anyone from the age of 11 can become a member. A member can have a say on their local NHS and help us shape future plans for the services, get involved in focus groups or surveys on services, get invited to events and health talks, elect Governors to represent their views, stand for election as Governor, get discounts from high street retailers and receive an invitation to the Annual General Meeting. A member can choose to be involved as much or as little as they want. It is voluntary and free of charge, but Members do not receive preferential treatment.
Joanne found out about the Foundation Trust at her local church from Stephen Young, Senior Systems Training and Support Technician.
Stephen said:
“Our hospital on the Island is a community resource. There are many elderly people in my community who need a local service. It would be very difficult for them to travel to Portsmouth or Southampton for treatment. And the continuity of support in the community is important too.”
Speaking about becoming the 3000th member, Mrs Turner said:
“I signed up to join the Foundation Trust because I want to support the elderly population on the Island.
“Our local NHS has been very good to my mother helping her at home and in the hospital. I am keen to keep as many of our services local as possible so that elderly people can receive the care that they need.”
The Trust aims to recruit 6,000 members by April 2017. We expect to hold our first elections to the new Council of 2014. The Council of Governors will comprise 14 members of the public (13 from the Island), 5 members of staff, 1 NHS volunteer and 5 stakeholder Governors. Patients and everyone who uses Isle of Wight NHS Trust services are encouraged to Make A Difference by signing up as members. You can do so online at www.iow.nhs.uk/ft, emailing [email protected] or by phoning 01983 822099 ext 5703.
