MP Philip Hammond and the Mayor of Elmbridge have pledged to be two of the first members of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals’ new Foundation Trust.
The 12-week drive to recruit 3,000 members in support of the plans began earlier this month and was officially launched this week.
If Ashford and St Peter’s is granted foundation status it would still be part of the NHS but would have more freedom from central Government.
It would be run by an elected council of governors, including one Elmbridge representative, who would make decisions about how money is spent and what services are offered.
Among the plans are to develop a specialist centre for patients who have had a heart attack or stroke and to move outpatient clinics to centres nearer people’s homes.
For more details and to become a member visit ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/foundationtrust.
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