Tatton MP and Chancellor George Osborne has thrown his support behind Macclesfield hospital’s bid to become a Foundation Trust.

The ‘Health is in Your Hands’ campaign was launched earlier this month and urges readers to support the application by East Cheshire NHS Trust, which runs the hospital.

By becoming a Foundation Trust, health chiefs will have more freedom to manage local affairs and finances, and protect the hospital’s future.

It will be more accountable to the community and make decisions based on local needs.

But this change is more than just aspirational – it is compulsory.

The trust has until April 2014 to successfully apply to central government or risk another trust or private company taking control of our local health services – including Macclesfield Hospital.

To succeed the trust must prove it can maintain high clinical standards, top quality leadership, tight financial controls and that it has the support of the trust’s 3,500 staff.

Critically, it must also prove it has the support of the community it serves.

Backing the application by East Cheshire NHS Trust Mr Osborne said: “A huge amount of work is going into the application process and it is important that it has the support of the community. It only works if community gets behind it.

“The hospital is there when we need it – it has helped me and members of my family – the hospital now needs us to help it.”

Between now and end of the consultation process on February 17 the Express will cover the application’s key issues.

We also want to hear what you have to say about the issue. You can do so by emailing wilmslowexpress@menmedia.co.uk or writing to the editor at Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 8EF. Alternatively, drop in or post items to us at our Macclesfield office at: Office 1c, 11 Market Place, Macclesfield, SK10 1DX.

What can you do?

Community involvement is an essential part of the application to become a Foundation Trust. Anyone over the age of 12 can apply to become a member of the trust. Involvement can be from simply being informed to being actively participating in the development of services.

Members over the age of 16 can also become a Governor who sits on a Council of Governors to help shape and implement the future strategy and hold health bosses to account.

The council would also comprise of seven appointed governors from organisations such as Eastern Cheshire Commissioning Consortium, Cheshire East Council and Age UK Cheshire and four members of staff.

Chief executive John Wilbraham said: “Our members will be best placed to have their say on how we deliver healthcare in the future.

“East Cheshire NHS will operate on the principle of working with our members, who are made up of staff and public for the benefit of our patients.

“Local people and their commitment to the trust will help ensure that the care we deliver, in the best place for the patient, is care that has the membership of the trust at the heart of the decision making for the future.”

To sign up as a member visit eastcheshire.nhs.uk/foundation-trust

What the Trust wants to do

If successful East Cheshire NHS Trust will be renamed Cheshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

  • It aims to shift emphasis from treating ill health to preventing ill health by improving health promotion, breast and bowel screening, school nursing, sexual health services, rehabilitation services and ante-natal services.
  • It aims to create Children’s Community Health Teams for babies, infants, children and young people up 19 and recruit new Health Visitors.
  • It aims to launch a Family Nurse Partnership Programme for young first time mothers.
  • It will shift focus from hospital-based care to community or home-based care, and increase the available community services.
  • It will aim to increase the capacity to care for more patients in orthopaedics, general surgery, cardiology and services in the community.