Free expert advice for trust members on keeping eyes healthy

A FREE meeting to look at how people can have healthy eyes is being organised for Musgrove Park Hospital Foundation Trust members.
It is part of the hospital’s Medicine for Members series and is for staff and public members of the foundation trust.
The session offers an opportunity to hear an expert from the trust give advice and information on the latest research and evidence on a key issue of health interest.
Consultant ophthalmologist Roger Gray will present on the subject ‘How to have Healthy Eyes’ on Tuesday, January 27, at 7 pm.
Many causes of sight loss are preventable if caught early.
The event will look at the effects of age-related disease and illness on eyesight, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, and show people what to look out for and what can be done.
There will be an opportunity for questions and the meeting will end at 8 pm with a free wine and nibbles buffet.
Places can be booked by emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk or calling 01823 342460 and leaving a message.
Joining the foundation trust is free and gives people an opportunity to have a say in the future of the hospital.
Members receive regular newsletters from the hospital, invitations to exclusive meetings, and can take part in elections for a members’ council.
The members’ council has a majority of publicly-elected members and makes key decisions about the future of Musgrove Park.
Anybody who would like to join should call the membership office on 01823 342460 or join online by going to http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/.

Hospital foundation trust marks its first anniversary

MORE than 150 people attended the first annual meeting of Musgrove Park Hospital’s NHS foundation trust, in Taunton.
They heard reports from chairman Ros Wyke and chief executive Jo Cubbon and saw the first ever showing of the foundation trust DVD.
There were also presentations on the new surgical centre planned for Musgrove and the cancer treatment Beacon Centre, which will open next May.
Mrs Wyke said: “Members are very important to us at Musgrove, they make a real difference and it was good to be able to meet so many at the annual meeting.
“It was particularly useful to hear people’s views about the hospital - what we are getting right and what we need to work on.
“These views, and the involvement of our members, will help us move from being a good hospital, to becoming a great hospital.”
One foundation member, Glyn Meredith, said: “The meeting was very good and extremely interesting.
“The enthusiasm of the staff was clear for all to see, both in the presentations and in those running stalls.
“It gave me great confidence in the future of the hospital and I would certainly go to other events being organised.”
Joining the foundation trust is free and does not commit members to anything.
They receive information from the hospital, are invited to special members-only evenings, and have an opportunity to vote in elections for the members’ council.
The council is made up of 27 governors, of whom 20 are elected, and plays a key role in influencing the future direction of the hospital and deciding who sits on the board of directors.
Anybody who would like to join the foundation trust can call the membership office on 01823 342460 or they can join online at http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/GetInvolved/MembersandGovernors/MembershipForm/tabid/1233/Default.aspx. The telephone number can also be used by anybody who would like a speaker from the hospital to attend their community or local meeting.

• Our photograph shows foundation trust member Glyn Meredith with one of the younger members, Charlotte Trower, and her 10-month-old daughter Sofia Nichols, who attended the annual meeting. Photo submitted.

Foundation trust members to hear hospital's first-year report

THE first annual members’ meeting of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust will be held later this month.
The meeting, on Thursday, November 20, is open to all members of the foundation trust, and will take place at Somerset County Cricket Ground, in Taunton.
As well as receiving reports from the chairman and chief executive, members will hear of plans for future developments and see the premiere of a new DVD about the trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital.
The meeting starts at 12 noon and will finish by 2.30 pm. Lunch will be provided and all members who attend will be entered into a draw to win tickets to one of Somerset’s 20:20 cricket matches next summer.
Trust chairman Ros Wyke said: “Members are really important to us at Musgrove Park.
“They play an important role in telling us what we are getting right and where we need to improve.
“They also elect governors, who have a number of significant powers to decide on the future direction of the trust.
“This meeting is a chance for us to report on the last year and our plans for the future, but also a great opportunity to hear from members on their priorities.”
Places at the meeting are free, but must be booked by noon on Monday, November 10, by calling 01823 342460 or emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk.
Anybody who is not a foundation trust member can join online at www.tsft.nhs.uk or by calling 01823 342460.

Free session for hospital trust members on preventing and controlling diabetes

A FREE one-hour meeting for Musgrove Park Hospital Foundation Trust members is being held to look at the prevention and control of diabetes.
It is part of the ‘Medicine for Members’ series and is for staff and public members of the Foundation Trust.
The session on Tuesday, November 4, will be an opportunity to hear experts from the trust give advice and information on the latest research and evidence on a key issue of health interest.
Consultant physician and endocrinologist Dr Colin Close will present on the subject of ‘managing the diabetes epidemic’.
He will look at the latest medical evidence and lifestyle advice which can benefit everybody, explaining what people need to do, and need to stop doing, to prevent and control diabetes.
Information about the latest drugs and other treatments will be available.
The meeting starts at 7 pm in Musgrove’s Academy Lecture Theatre.
There will be an opportunity for questions and the meeting will end at 8 pm with a free wine and nibbles buffet.
Only 30 places remain available and any Foundation Trust member who wants to attend should book a place as soon as possible by emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk or calling 01823 342460 and leaving a message.
Joining the Foundation Trust is free and allows an opportunity to have a say in the future of the hospital.
Members receive regular newsletters from the hospital, invitations to exclusive meetings, consultations, and focus groups, and an opportunity to take part in elections for the members’ council.
The members’ council has a majority of publicly elected members and makes key decisions about the future of Musgrove Park.
To join, contact the membership office on 01823 342460 or fill in the online form available at www.tsft.nhs.uk.