HOSPITAL bosses are giving the public the chance to have a greater say in the way Lister is run, in a bid for a patient-led NHS Trust. The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust – which runs Lister, the QEII in Welwyn GC and Hertford County hospitals – is

HOSPITAL bosses are giving the public the chance to have a greater say in the way Lister is run, in a bid for a patient-led NHS Trust.

The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust - which runs Lister, the QEII in Welwyn GC and Hertford County hospitals - is applying for Foundation Trust (FT) status. FTs have been created to transfer decision-making from central government control to local communities and organisations.

The Trust plans to launch a consultation about its bid for FT status with the public, staff and partners in the week beginning February 11, before it submits its application to the secretary of state for health for approval.

The consultation, consisting of a number of public meetings, stakeholder events and displays, will include topics such as the Trust's service development priorities and vision and values and will end in mid-May.

Membership of an FT is open to local residents, patients and staff. Members are able to stand and vote in elections for governors of the FT and can expect to receive regular information about the Trust and consultation on plans for its services and future development.

Nick Carver, the Trust's chief executive, said: "We are encouraging people to have a much greater say in the way the Trust is run.

"What we now want is to engage with people and involve them in planning and delivering services."

Dates of public meetings and events during the consultation are expected to be made available in the near future.