An NHS Trust’s bid to become the first Foundation Trust in Suffolk received the support of national health chiefs this week.

And local people are being invited to help forge its direction by signing up for free membership of the new Trust.

Officials from the Department of Health and the NHS East of England have encouraged Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust to submit its application for the special status on November 1. If approved, the new Foundation Trust could be up and running by April next year.

Health trust chief executive Mark Halladay said: “We’ve spent months getting this application right, including holding public meetings and attending various venues across the county to talk about our plans and to encourage people to join as members.

“As a Foundation Trust, we are answerable to our members rather than to central government, so it is vitally important to the success of local NHS services that we continue to get as many new members signed up as possible.”

As a member, people can get involved in the direction of the new Trust as much or as little as they would like to – from just receiving information about NHS services which promote mental wellbeing to sitting on influential panels which will drive what, and where, services are delivered. Members could also stand for election as governors, for an even greater involvement.

To join as a member, call 01473 329148, see www.newmember.info, or write to FT Office, Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Suffolk House, St Clement’s Hospital, Ipswich IP3 8NN.