Become a member
Being a member of a Foundation Trust gives you the chance to have your say about how it is run.
Here, you will find information about what being a member means to our patients and the local community, and the way you can help us decide how the future will look.
What are NHS Foundation Trusts and how do they work?
NHS Foundation Trusts are free from government control and able to develop services to suit the needs of their local community. They are still part of the NHS family and continue to be subject to NHS quality standards, performance ratings and systems of inspection. Most importantly, these Trusts are accountable to staff and local people through members and an elected council of governors, who work closely with the Trust’s board of directors to influence decision making and strategic planning.
How do you become a member?
Becoming a member of our trust is simple and free.
All you need to do is complete a form expressing your wish to become a member and return it to us.
Contact the Membership Office to request an application form.
Contact membership office
FREEPOST NAT14353,
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust,
Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
Sheriff Hill,
Gateshead,
NE9 6BR
Once we have received your completed form, we will confirm your membership and send you further information.
What will becoming a member mean to you, our patients and the local community?
As a member you:
- Can have your say in how the Trust develops its services
- Will receive regular information on Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Can become involved in specific projects where your personal views on our services will offer a valuable perspective
- Will receive invitations to events, meetings such as our annual general meeting and presentations on health issues that interest you
- Will receive invitations to meet your governors to discuss any issues
- Be able to vote in elections to the Council of Governors
- Be eligible to stand for election to the Council of Governors
- Be able to attend regular meetings
What will I need to do as a member?
How involved you become is entirely up to you – there is no requirement to attend meetings or take part in elections. You may simply wish to be kept informed of developments and issues via the newsletter.
How does it work?
Our membership is made up of staff, public and patients. We also have a council of governors which is made up of governors who represent our staff, members, the public and key stakeholders.
Find out more about the Council of Governors
We also have a Board of Directors which has primary responsibility and accountability for the operation of the Trust.
Find out more about the Board of Directors
Who can become a member?
Membership is open to anyone who:
- is over the age of 16
- lives within our defined membership area
- has been a patient of the Trust, or the carer of a patient, at any time during the seven years preceding the date of application
- is employed by QE Gateshead (all staff are automatically members unless they choose to opt out).
Medicine for Members events
The Trust holds Medicine for Members seminars which involve a series of talks and seminars on clinical, public health and healthcare topics. Members are given the opportunity to learn about matters relating to their own health, the health of those around them and how their healthcare is being delivered and might be delivered in the future.
For any questions or topic suggestions, please contact the Corporate Services office.
Our AGM
Our members, the public, Governors, colleagues and valued stakeholders are invited to join us as our Board of Directors formally present our Annual Report, Accounts and Quality Account for the year ended 31 March 2025 at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Members’ Meeting on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
This year the formal AGM will be preceded by the launch of the Northern Centre for Breast Research which brings together all breast-related research under one one identity, with a clear focus on improving care, supporting staff and raising the Trust’s national profile. It promises to be a significant and forward-looking event, bringing together clinical leaders, researchers and partners from across the region.
The launch will take place in the Hub, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, from 9.30am and guests are then invited to attend the formal AGM which will take place at 11.00am to 12.00pm in the Lecture Theatre, Trust Headquarters. The formal aspect of the AGM will be shorter than usual this year, as the showcase element (which we usually include in the main AGM itself) is the Northern Centre for Breast Research launch event which takes places in the hours before this.
If you would like to attend, we would be grateful if you could please complete the form below:
https://forms.office.com/e/BD4BD1XRMe
The agenda and the papers for the meeting will be available here once published however please see the link below to see our Annual Report and Accounts for 2024/25.
Trust Annual Report 2024/25If you have any queries regarding the event please contact the Corporate Services office on 0191 445 6043 or email [email protected]
Elections
Election to the Council of Governors Autumn 2025
The Trust is currently holding elections to its Council of Governors. This election is to be held for a number of vacancies across all four of the Trust’s constituencies. The nomination period opens on Thursday 28 August 2025.
The nomination period closes at 5.00pm on Thursday 25 September 2025
The notice of election can be found below:
Notice of Election (209kB pdf)
The nomination period for the Council of Governors’ elections will close on Thursday 25 September 2025. The statement of nominated candidates will then be available here.
Voting in the Council of Governors’ elections opens on 17 October 2025 and closes on Tuesday 11 November 2025.
Election to the Council of Governors Spring 2025
Please see below documents relating to the elections held for the newly merged Central and Eastern constituency.
The notice of election can be found below:
The nomination period for the Council of Governors’ elections for the Central and Eastern constituency closed on Thursday 6 March 2025. Please see below the statement of the nominated candidates:
Statement of Nominated Candidates (pdf)
Voting in the Council of Governors’ election for the newly merged Central and Eastern constituency opened on 28 March 2025. Please see notice of poll below.
The elections for the newly merged Central and Eastern constituency closed on Thursday 24 April 2025. Please see the Report of Voting below:
Report of Voting – Central and Eastern Gateshead (pdf)
Contact details
If you have any queries on the election process, please contact Civica Election Services either by calling 0208 889 9203 or by emailing [email protected].
You can also contact the Corporate Services office, on 0191 445 3712 or 0191 445 6043 email [email protected]
I want to become a member
Online form
Please complete the above online form or you can also contact the Corporate Services office by telephone at 0191 445 6043 or by email at [email protected].
The postal address for the membership office is FREEPOST NAT14353, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, NE9 6BR.