News from the James Cook University Hospital

A PRESCRIPTION FOR CHANGE – HAVE YOUR SAY

SOUTH Tees Hospitals NHS Trust is consulting patients, carers, staff, partners and members of the public – about their plans and ideas - during a 12-week consultation period.

As part of Government plans, the trust, which runs The James Cook University Hospital in

Middlesbrough and the

Friarage

Hospital in Northallerton, has been nominated to become a Foundation Trust.

We believe that becoming a Foundation Trust is the best way forward for us to help shape future health services for patients, staff and the public. We are asking local people to have their say by inviting them to attend our public meetings being held on the following dates, at venues across the

Tees

Valley and

North Yorkshire:

· The Garden Room, Thirsk Racecourse, Thirsk – 25 September, 3pm · Town Hall,

Market Place, Richmond

- 25 September, 6pm· Marton Hotel and Country Club,

Middlesbrough – 26 September, 6pm· Baltic Room,

Hartlepool Historic Quay,

Hartlepool – 27 September, 3.30pm· Stephenson Suite, Dolphin Centre, Horsemarket,

Darlington - 27 September, 6pm

Please note a signer will be available at each meeting.

Our services will continue to be free and based on need but becoming a Foundation Trust is an exciting opportunity and will give local communities – you - the chance to have a greater say in the services we develop, really influence how we operate and actively help shape our provision of care in the future. People can get more involved in influencing health services by becoming a member or governor.

If we are successful we will become an NHS Foundation Trust next April and between 9 July and 30 September 200 7

Chief executive Simon Pleydell said: “We would encourage people to come along and tell us what they think.

“This is an important and exciting opportunity for the trust and we would really like people to get involved so we can listen to their views.”

A full consultation document outlining our proposals in detail is available from our website at www.southtees.nhs.uk. Alternatively people can phone the membership office on 01642 835598, or write to Jacqui Keane, The Murray Building, The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.