Camden New Journal - by JAMIE WELHAM Published: 22 November 2007
Royal Free to hold election as 200 people apply for roles in members’ council
ELECTION fever has hit the Royal Free Hospital with more than 200 people vying for a seat on its new members’ council.
The 25 elected members will help determine the future of services at the Hampstead hospital and are comprised of staff, patients and members of the public. The 201 election candidates will have to prove to the 3,000 people who signed up to support the trust’s move to foundation status that they are up to the job.
Andrew Way, chief executive of the hospital said: “We are delighted that so many people have put themselves forward as candidates for election to our new members’ council. “This is a reflection of how important the Royal Free is to the community, patients and staff and how much people want to be involved in helping shape the trust’s future.”
The elected members will work with the board of directors – who manage the day-to-day business of trust – to help harness the new opportunities that the hospital will gain when it is awarded foundation status next year.
Members of the foundation trust are only eligible to vote for candidates standing in their own constituency.
• For more information see www.royalfree.nhs.uk/foundation