There are 35 NHS Foundation Trusts in England that serve over 1/4 of the population and treat more than 7 million patients employing over 120,000 staff. These trusts involve over half a million members of the public who elect governors to represent local health needs and ensure the trusts are responsive to communities. As more trusts establish, the over one million potential members could have significant influence on strategic health decisions nationwide.

1.  35 NHS Foundation Trusts in England
 Service over ¼ of the population
 Treating more than 7 million patients
 Employing over 120,000 staff

2.  New era of patient & public
involvement
 Over ½ million people have a voice

3.  Members elect governors
 Governors responsible for ensuring the
trusts reflect local health needs
 Over 900 people are now governors
 Representing patients, public, staff and
local stakeholders

4.  Evidence that governors and members
are changing the way their hospitals
are run
 Trusts more responsive to local people
and more patient focused

5.  FTs are developing locally relevant
arrangements
 Governors acting as strategic
contributors to decision making
 Also as community barometers, critical
friends, scrutineers and elected
constituency representatives

6.  When there is a critical mass of FTs
there will be over a million members
 Will be a dynamic force in communities
all over the country
 Offering a huge opportunity to make
strategic input in health