We're looking for local people who can help us shape the future of health services for County Durham and Darlington by joining as members.

Public membership is FREE and open to anyone over the age of fourteen who lives within the geographic area served by the Trust. This constituency is divided into different areas: Chester-le-Street, Durham City, Darlington, Sedgefield, Derwentside, Wear Valley and Teesdale, Easington, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and beyond and Tees Valley, Hambleton, Richmondshire and beyond.

More than 6,000 people have already become members of the Foundation Trust - and you can still send in your application.

Foundation Trusts are more accountable to the communities they serve. As a member, you will be able to play a role in shaping your local health services in the future and you can vote in future elections for governors to represent your area on the Governing Council.

As a Foundation Trust member you also receive a free copy of the Trust's newsletter 'Newsround'. In this you'll find news on the latest events and developments within the Trust and the latest information for members and governors. To read the latest edition of Newsround or view previous copies, visit the News and Events pages.

 The data you supply will be used only to contact you about the Trust, membership or other related issues and will be stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Full details are available upon request. Your membership details will be used solely for the purposes of your membership of the NHS Foundation Trust. By law we are required to make registers available to the public. However, the public registers must exclude any public members who do not wish to be included. The public register shows the member's name and constituency (and class if appropriate) but not their address or any other personal details. If you do wish to be excluded from the public register, please email Foundation@cddft.nhs.uk