The argument for plans which could see Kingston Hospital given greater independence from the NHS has been outlined at another poorly attended public meeting.
Only five members of the public gathered at the final meeting on Monday evening, to discuss whether the hospital should be allowed foundation trust status, giving it greater independence from the NHS and the ability to borrow private capital, capping an underwhelming public consultation.
The hospital declined to reveal the total attendance at its 11 public meetings, but only 16 people attended the first three public meetings in Hook, Kingston and Surbiton.
Managers believe the hospital could be forced into a merger, with cuts to follow, if it does not achieve foundation trust status by 2010.
Speaking on Monday evening, Andrew Seddon, director of finance, said issues such as bed blocking could be tackled and decisions taken quicker if the hospital was a foundation trust.
He said: “This gives more weight to those local views and on the negative side gives more remedy to the local public if we don’t do what we are expected to. We are held to account.”
Government agency Monitor could decide whether to pass Kingston’s application by next summer but first it needs to get the blessing from the Department for Health.
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