A CONSULTATION on major changes to how Oxfordshire hospitals are run is “going well” according to NHS bosses.

And residents who have yet to respond are being urged to give their views on the plans.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has been holding consultation meetings on its bid to become a foundation trust since June.

It says the status will give it greater independence from Government on spending and management.

And county residents could become “members” to have a say over how the trust is run. They could also bid to join a board of governors.

Consultation events have been held in Abingdon, Faringdon, Oxford, Wantage, Didcot, Banbury, Chipping Norton and Witney.

Trust medical director Professor Edward Baker said: “The consultation is going well so far.

“We have had over 100 members of the public attend our public meetings so far and hope to speak to many more over the next few weeks. We are also receiving feedback through the post and from our online surveys.

“I would encourage anyone who has not yet given us their views but is interested in the future of their local hospitals to read our consultation document and give us their views.”

Foundation trusts were first established in 2002 and the Government wants all types of NHS trusts to have foundation status by 2014.

By this time primary care trusts – which decide where NHS cash is spent – will have been abolished in favour of GP-led clinical commissioning groups.

Government regulator Monitor will need to approve the foundation trust bid.

Anita Higham, chairman of the Oxfordshire Local Involvement Network, the official county NHS watchdog, backed the foundation trust model.

She said: “I think the foundation trust concept encourages people to go around asking sensible questions. You get a much better quality of decisions with the views of those on the ground as to what is happening.”

And she said giving managers more responsibility would mean they could not “blame” outside factors, like the Government, as much, she said.

Further meetings will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm on: l Thursday at John Paul II Centre, Bicester.

Thursday, August 30, at Thame Barnes Centre, Thame.

Tuesday, September 11, at Baptist Church, Kidlington.

Tuesday, September 18, at Warwick Hall, Burford.

Thursday, September 20, at St Mary’s Church, Banbury.

Thursday, September 27, at Trust AGM, Oxford Town Hall, Oxford.

For details, visit ouh.nhs.uk/foundation-trust/ft-consultation.aspx