A HAMPSHIRE health trust is calling on residents to take a more active role in the county’s healthcare.

Solent NHS Trust is aiming to achieve foundation trust status, but to ensure that happens it needs to recruit residents interested in becoming governors of the trust.

Securing this status would mean that its services would be free from direct Government control of its finances and management and would be more open and accountable to the community.

Elected governors would help to direct and plan services for the future.

Rachel Cheal, from the trust, said: “Governors have a significant role under the Health and Social Care Act and help set the strategic direction of the trust, working with our board of directors to ensure that the trust behaves in a way that is consistent with its constitution and objectives.”

Applications must be made by July 10. For details visit solent.nhs.uk.