A BID to place the NHS trust covering hospitals in Huddersfield and Halifax under local managerial control could be made by the end of the year.
Health bosses deferred a previous application for foundation status for the trust covering Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and the Royal Calderdale Hospital in July 2004.
But now it looks as if it could be on course again.
Foundation trusts have a significant amount of managerial and financial freedom with more control devolved from Westminster .
The Government claims it is the best way to create a patient-led NHS.
A spokeswoman for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust said: "We are working closely with Monitor, the independent regulator, towards a potential bid later this year, but no final timescales are available at the moment."
She added: "The Government wants to give all trusts the opportunity to achieve NHS foundation trust status by 2008.
"The West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority has outlined plans for all hospital and mental health trusts to aim for the status by 2007."
There are 40 NHS foundation trusts at the moment. A further 13 are being considered by Monitor for authorisation in August.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "Our aim is for all acute and mental health trusts to become foundation trusts. We are working hard to support as many trusts as possible to foundation status so that all communities can have a greater say in how their local hospital services are delivered."
