CHRIS BISHOP Public consultation begins today over a Norfolk hospital's bid to involve the community in deciding the future shape of healthcare it provides. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital wants to become a Foundation Trust and be managed by locally-elected governors.
CHRIS BISHOP
Public consultation begins today over a Norfolk hospital's bid to involve the community in deciding the future shape of healthcare it provides.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital wants to become a Foundation Trust and be managed by locally-elected governors.
NHS bosses gave it the green light to apply if it could turn around an £11m deficit. After 18 months, the QEH is back on an even financial keel.
Foundation status gives hospitals more over their budgets and strategic planning. But to gain it they must be able to prove the move is backed by the public.
From today, the QEH is launching a campaign to recruit thousands of people to be members of the trust. Members will vote for the governor's council which will run the hospital if its bid is successful.
An information leaflet was distributed to homes in West Norfolk and Fenland during the summer and many have already signed up.
Over the next 12 weeks special recruitment teams from the hospital will be in the area to tell residents about foundation trust application and what it means for them.
Consultation papers will also be available which explain the move, with a response slip people can use to become members.
People can also apply on-line, via the Get Involved section of the QEH web site, at www.qehkl.nhs.uk.
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