HOSPITAL chiefs have called on more people and patients to become members of a new Foundation Trust after “disappointing” numbers joined.

Health bosses from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust made their appeal at a board meeting on Thursday.

The trust runs the three main hospitals in Worcestershire – Worcestershire Royal in Worcester, Kidderminster Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch – and needs the help of the public to shape the future of local healthcare.

Chief executive John Rostill said: “One of the disappointments that has been identified is that, despite the relatively good attendance at staff and public meetings, we’re not getting a lot of sign-ups for membership.”

So, far fewer than 400 members have opted to become members of the Foundation Trust (FT), once it is formed.

Health leaders say that becoming an FT would give patients more power over their own destiny and bring greater democracy to the local NHS.

Instead of being directly answerable to Government and the Strategic Health Authority, the trust would be more independent and patients would have more say in what happens and where new investment is made.

There are risks however – an FT can go bust whereas an NHS trust cannot.

Anyone over the age of 16 can become a member of the FT, free of charge.

Members will be divided into six constituencies — Worcester City, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch.

All members of staff become members on the day the acute trust becomes an FT unless they decide to opt-out, a policy followed by other FTs across the country.

The consultation on becoming an FT (Local Care For Local People) began on Saturday, July 5 and will end on Friday, September 26.

At the earliest, the acute trust would become an FT by May 1, 2009. The next public meeting is at Worcester Guildhall at noon on Wednesday, September 10. Visit worcsacute.nhs.uk for more details.