A PROSPECTIVE MP has signed up to be a member of a new hospitals Foundation Trust for Worcestershire.

Harriett Baldwin, Conserv-ative parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire, has backed the Worcester-shire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust bid for FT status.

Worcester MP Mike Foster also plans to become a member although he has not signed up yet. The plans will mean more independence for the trust, which manages Worcestershire Royal Hosp-ital in Worcester, Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital.

Health chiefs say once the FT is formed, the trust can borrow money for key projects, look after its own budget and be more accountable to the public and patients.

Harriett Baldwin also urged others to join. Mem-bership is open to everyone over the age of 16 who lives in Worcestershire, and to trust staff.

She said: “I think becoming a Foundation Trust is a step in the right direction for our acute hospitals. It gives the acute hospitals more autonomy and it involves local people more directly as governors and members. I raised the point that Malvern Hills residents need more representation compared to Wych-avon residents. I also have concerns that Monitor – the new quango established to oversee foundation trusts – will probably still focus too much on targets.”

Michael O’Riordan, chair-man of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We are delighted Harriet Baldwin has signed up to become a member and support our application.

“We would encourage all Worcester residents to consider becoming a member. If we have their support to achieve foundation trust status then it will enable us to be more independent financially and in our decision making on local service provision and, importantly, they would have the opportunity as members to assist with decisions.”

Mr Foster said: “I’m pleased Harriet Baldwin is supporting the Labour Government’s initiative to create foundation hospitals.

“There’s a real opportunity for large scale community involvement.”

The 12-week consultation runs until Friday, September 26. More information available on worcsacute.nhs.uk At the earliest, the acute trust could become an FT by May 1 next year.