THE bid to bring foundation hospital status to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary is to be examined.

A scrutiny panel of Kirklees councillors is to carry out a detailed probe into all the implications on local people and health services of proposed hospital foundation trusts.

The panel is led by Clr Molly Walton. Its next meeting will be at 4pm tomorrow at Huddersfield Town Hall.

It will be exploring the management "freedom" aspects of foundation trusts.

A meeting on Wednesday, September 24, will examine social ownership issues, the governing arrangements of foundation trusts, and the consultation process.

Meetings are also scheduled for October 15 and 21.

All the meetings are at Huddersfield Town Hall at 4pm and the public are welcome to attend.

The Government's Health Department has shortlisted the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust in the first wave of authorities bidding for foundation status.

Clr Walton said: "We want to get the public involved. Their views are crucial on this very important issue.

"As the health and hospital trusts and authorities are appointed bodies, it is important that the council takes on its community leadership responsibilities

"It's also important that the council examines all the issues and represents local people as this very significant issue of foundation trusts progresses," she added.

Clr Walton said the scrutiny panel's aim was to identify, discuss and analyse the issues surrounding foundation trust status. It would then make recommendations to Kirklees's Cabinet, the council and other appropriate organisations.

She added: "In particular, the panel will look at how foundation trust status will affect the residents of Kirklees and how it will affect how health services are provided."

The panel would also look at access to services, equity of provision and health inequalities.

She added: "Accountability is important, and the panel will probe how effective are the proposed accountability and public and patient involvement arrangements."

It will also look at the potential impact on democratic accountability and joint working between Kirklees and the health services.

"Patient choice and flexibility of services are other issues we will examine," said Clr Walton.

Under foundation status, trusts will be given freedom from Government control, to develop services they think best suit the needs of their community.

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