WYRE Forest residents are being invited to comment on plans for the future of the Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust as it applies to become an NHS foundation trust.

This week sees the start of a 12 week public consultation and the trust wants to hear from people about how the new foundation trust should be run and to encourage people to become members.

Foundation trusts continue to provide NHS care but are free to develop services that best suit local needs.

Worcestershire people can comment and get involved in many ways by becoming members and elected governors and can be members of more than one foundation trust, providing they meet the membership criteria.

Membership is free and will be available to everyone in Worcestershire aged 14 years and over.

Trust chairman, Neil Lockwood, said: "We are committed to putting people first in our organisation. We want as many people to comment about our proposals and help us create a sound foundation for the future of our health services.

“We have an established record of developing and providing effective health services in our community. We believe this new way of operating will bring further benefits for service users, carers, staff, partner organisations and the local community.

“We will work more closely with local people to understand their needs and discuss how they would like us to develop our services. As an NHS foundation trust, we will have greater freedoms to manage our finances and develop services, according to local priorities.

"We will also work more closely with partners in the statutory and voluntary sector and with local businesses to help challenge the stigma and social discrimination often associated with those who use mental health, learning disability and substance misuse services.

"We want to put people in control of their lives and to promote well-being. I hope and believe that the people we serve in Worcestershire will support our application by signing up as members of the foundation trust."

The public consultation runs from Saturday until December 19. A series of public meetings are being held across the county, including one in Kidderminster. It takes place in the Corn Exchange, Kidderminster Town Hall, on Thursday, October 9, from noon until 2pm.

The trust wants as many people as possible to attend to find out about its plans, ask questions and apply to become members.

Comments about the public consultation must reach the trust by December 19. A report will then be made public at the trust board meeting following the closing date.

If the trust gains sufficient local support, the application will then undergo further rigorous assessment by the national independent regulator (Monitor). If successful, it is intended that the trust will become a foundation trust on July 1, 2009.

Copies of the consultation document are available online at www.worcsmhp.nhs.uk or by contacting the foundation trust project office, on 01905 681425. Copies will also be available at the public consultation meeting and from established social care premises and public buildings across the county.

Any local group that would like to hear more about the foundation trust can contact Christine Marsh, patient and public involvement manager, on 01905 681517, to arrange for a presentation.