East London NHS Foundation Trust became a Foundation Trust in November 2007. Members of the public can join the Trust as members. Membership is free and you can choose how to be involved. It's a great way to have your say, help us reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with health issues or just find out more about health matters in East London.
What is an NHS Foundation Trust?
Foundation Trusts are a new type of NHS Trust. They are still a part of the National Health Service, but are run locally instead of by the Government. Because it is run locally the East London NHS Foundation Trust will be able to provide better services and is more accountable to local people.
Foundation Trust Membership
We have more than 9000 public members, many of them service users or carers who can contribute much to the development of services and gain from Foundation Trust membership.
Following the integration of Newham Community Health and Care Services (now Community Health Newham) on 1 February 2011, we have recruited an additional 1000 members to join the Trust. An additional four Governors and two Staff Governors elected in April 2011 represent Community Health Newham on the Council of Governors. 
What does a Trust member do?
Click here to view 'In Your Trust', the Foundation Trust Newsletter
Who can become a Trust member?
Any member of the public over the age of 12 can become a member provided they live in the area we serve (City of London, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham) or any other London Borough.
We are committed to encouraging all people who are eligible and have an interest in mental and physical well-being to become members of the Trust.
We aim to have an active membership that fully reflects the people and communities we serve. For example, we want to ensure that ethnic minorities and young people are well represented in our membership.
Membership Information and Application Forms
Click here to apply for Trust Membership. If you need more information please contact the Membership Office.
Council of Governors
The Trust's Council of Governors is the public's representative body. Council Governors are elected by the membership.
Click here for the Council of Governors Meeting Dates 2012
Click here to see the Council of Governors Structure.
Click here to see all Council Governors
Staff Membership
Trust staff form a separate group to public members. They do not need to apply to become members. The Trust has adopted an 'opt out' approach to staff membership: All existing staff and new staff appointmetns automatically become members unless an individual specifically expresses the wish not to.
Elected Staff Governors are the staff's voice on the Council of Governors.
Click here to see all Staff Governors
Membership Office
Membership Manager: Deirdre Leyden
Membership Officer: Meena Patel.
The office is based at the Trust's Headquarters in Aldgate and is part of the Corporate Affairs Directorate. The office co-ordinates the recruitment of members and their involvement with the Foundation Trust.
Email: foundation@eastlondon.nhs.uk
Freephone number: 0800 032 7297
Freepost address:
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Membership Office
FREEPOST RLSH-BBHX-ZRRU
EastOne
22 Commercial Street
London E1 6LP