We would like to become a Foundation Trust and as this is an important change that we believe will benefit our hospitals and the people who use them.

NHS Foundation Trusts are a new type of organisation, they are not-for-profit, public benefit corporations. They are part of the NHS and must meet national healthcare standards. They continue to provide services to patients on the basis of need and not ability to pay. However, they are more independent of Government than NHS Trusts so that they can more effectively become part of the local community.

As a Foundation Trust we will be:

• more directly accountable to users through a new group of Members who will elect a body of Governors to work alongside the current Board of Directors
• able to save any surplus that we make to invest in new health services and facilities
• less subject to central control and more able to take account of local needs and priorities

We are consulting with many stakeholder groups, with patients and with members of the public between 1 October 2009 and 24 December 2009.

Details of the times and locations are available.

There is much more information in a full consultation guide . A shorter summary version is available.

If you would like hard copies of these documents, or if you would like someone from the Trust to come to speak to a meeting or group that you belong to, please contact us on 0113 206 6785.

It is free to become a Member of the Foundation Trust. You will not get better or faster treatment directly from joining up - although you will be able to use your voice and your vote to make improvements you feel are important -but there are some attractive benefits including:

• newsletters and information
• invitations to health events
• a chance to take part in surveys and to have your voice heard
• the opportunity to vote for, or even stand as, a Governor

All you need to do is complete the membership application form, or send an email to public.relations@leedsth.nhs.uk or contact us on 0113 206 6785