Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board OXLEAS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST HOW TO BE A MEMBER AND WHAT THIS MEANS? MARK BRADLEY – STAFF GOVERNOR ADULT LEARNING DISABILITY SERVICES

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What is a NHS Foundation Trust? A NHS Foundation Trust is part of the National Health Service. It is made up of members. Members can be staff, carers, service users and other members of the public. They can also be from different organisations. It’s about working together.

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What are members for? A good NHS Foundation Trust listens to its’ members. Members can be elected by other members as ‘Governors’ of the Foundation Trust. Governors speak up at the ‘Council of Governors’ The Council of Governors makes decisions about the way the Foundation Trust works.

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What is important to a Foundation Trust? Members are very important to a Foundation Trust. Finances are very important too. The Trust has to report to ‘MONITOR’ – this is an independent regulator. They make sure Oxleas uses money wisely to meet the needs of the community.

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Can people with learning disabilities be members? Yes! Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust welcomes learning disabled members. As a member, you have the opportunity to become a Governor and speak up for the people you represent. There is no Oxleas Governor with a Learning Disability at the moment.

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board How do I become a member? There is a form to fill out. This can be completed on the Oxleas website or it can be printed out and sent to the Trust. Speak to an advocate or carer if you have difficulty with this? We are working on accessible information for people with learning disabilities to become Governors.

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Is it worth being a member or Governor for Oxleas? If you want to SPEAK UP about Oxleas health services – Yes! If you want tell the Governors what is important to the members you represent – Yes! If you want to understand more about Oxleas’ Services – Yes! If you want the opportunity to make a difference – Yes!