Have your say on healthcare. *
05 Nov 2007
Get involved in developing local hospital services by CMMC.
People across Manchester - including the University community - are being invited to get involved in developing local hospital services by Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust (CMMC).
The Trust is applying for NHS Foundation Trust status, which will give patients, staff and local people greater involvement in planning future hospital services. CMMC includes Manchester Royal Infirmary, the Eye and Dental Hospitals, St Mary's, Booth Hall and Royal Manchester Children's Hospitals.
Although still part of the NHS, Foundation Trusts are free from central government control. They are accountable to their members, who are drawn from patients, local communities and hospital staff, and monitored by an independent regulator.
Explained Trust Chairman Peter Mount: "Becoming a Foundation Trust will make us more accountable to our patients, staff and the wider public . It will also give us more freedom and flexibility to meet the needs of the communities we serve."
Members can be as involved as they wish, from receiving newsletters to standing for election to the Council of Governors.
University Vice-President Professor Rod Coombs, a non-executive director of the Trust added: "As members, University staff and students can play a key role in developing future healthcare services . The University has a very strong partnership with the Trust, and will also be represented on the Council of Governors. This is a great opportunity to work together for the good of the wider community."
If you would like to become a member, please fill in the online application form at:
You can also get more information by:
- Calling 0161 276 8661
or - Going to NHS Foundation Trust website
The Trust's application received public support during a consultation exercise over the summer, and will shortly be submitted to the Department of Health. If CMMC gets the green light, it will get Foundation status in summer 2008.