Public consultation on Foundation Trust (From Redditch Advertiser)

Public consultation on Foundation Trust

4:51pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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REDDITCH people are urged to have their say on plans for the future of the Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal hospitals, in a countywide public consultation exercise launched on Saturday, July 5.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is launching a 12 week public consultation exercise on its application for Foundation Trust (FT) status and its vision for the future of acute hospital services in the county - the development of Local Care for Local People.' The trust is sending information packs to thousands of Worcestershire homes, hosting a series of open public meetings and trying to engage with as many residents as possible from July 5 until September 26.

Residents are also invited to play an active role in their local hospitals by commenting on the trust's plans and by signing up as public members.

Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan said: "Becoming a Foundation Trust creates opportunities for local people to influence how their hospital services are managed and developed.

"We have chosen the theme of Local Care for Local People' for consulting on our plans because it reflects how we want to focus our efforts as a Foundation Trust. This is not something we should decide in isolation - we need local people to help us shape our vision."

Chief Executive John Rostill said: "We want to hear what people have to say about our developing plans and also want them to play an active part in our future by signing up as members and perhaps even standing for election to our council of governors.

"We're launching our consultation on a significant day for the NHS nationally, as it's the 60th anniversary of the NHS and it's important to understand that as a Foundation Trust we will remain part of the NHS.

"However, Foundation Trust status would mean greater freedom from central government controls and give us a chance to manage our finances more flexibly, borrow money - as long as it's affordable - and keep any surpluses we make to invest in maintaining and improving services.

"We hope to have a chance to discuss all these issues in more detail with local people between now and the end of September."

Trust chiefs also welcome invitations to attend any meetings of local groups and organisations during the consultation period to talk about Foundation Trust status and what it means.

For more details, visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk or email the Foundation Trust membership office on ftmembershipoffice@worcsacute.nhs.uk or freephone 0800 7830 335.

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