Manor's bid for independence

Control of the rebuilt Walsall Manor Hospital could be passed from Whitehall to the people of the borough as bosses forge ahead to break away from the Government.

As early preparation work begins on site to rebuild the Victorian hospital by 2010, plans to become Walsall Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been announced. It will mean a board or council of governors runs affairs instead of the Department of Health, if the bid is successful in autumn 2007.

The foundation trust will still have to meet NHS standards and will be subject to inspection but a Walsall-based team will steer the ship.

Breaking away from central control will also mean the trust can keep any money it generates.

Chief executive Sue James: "There is an exciting journey ahead in terms of developing our longer-term service plans and making sure they are financially sound.

"Just as important is the need to recruit an active and representative membership drawn from the public, patients and staff who can help shape its future." People can register to become a member of the organisation and will receive regular updates about the trust and can vote in elections to the board or council of governors.

The Manor's previous bid was derailed in autumn 2005 when the Health Commission criticised the hospital for the way it handled its finances and high levels of staff sickness. Developer Skanska was appointed this month to carry out the £140million largest single redevelopment of the Moat Road site in its history.