A NEW era beckons for Basingstoke hospital after it became the first in Hampshire to gain coveted foundation status.

After months of preparation and numerous inspections, staff at Basingstoke hospital are celebrating after learning from NHS regulators that the hard work has paid off.

The hospital will now be known as Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust.

This means that although the hospital will remain part of the NHS, it will have greater freedom from Government control, allowing more decisions to be taken locally.

Following the announcement by MONITOR - the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts - Mary Edwards, the hospital's chief executive, said: "This is really wonderful news for everyone - our staff, patients and the local population.

"We are delighted that, after all this work, the trust has reached this recognition. We realise this does not make for immediate changes, but we will now look to the future and how our services will develop to benefit our local population.

"The main difference is that, for the first time ever, if we make a profit, we can invest it and keep it in the hospital."

She added: "I would like to thank all of the staff, patients and users of the hospital for their support in helping us to gain foundation trust status. This is a big achievement."

An important part of the new trust will be the 27 governors who will help to run it alongside the current board of directors.

Four members of staff and 13 members of the public have already been elected and representatives from the local authority, as well as local colleges and businesses, will also join them.

Mrs Edwards added: "One of the most important next stages for us will be to seek a new chairman. The appointment process, which will be led by our new governors, starts immediately."

The inaugural meeting of the Council of Governors will take place on December 13, 2006.

The trust is also looking to increase its membership, which currently stands at more than 4,000.

Members of the trust receive information about it and can pass comments on through their local governors.

Mrs Edwards said: "Now, more than ever, it is really worth joining. The more members we have, the more people we will be listening to and will help us to make changes."

For more information, or to sign up as a member, call 01256 313601, e-mail foundation@nhht.nhs.uk or write to the Foundation Trust Project Team at Basingstoke hospital, Aldermaston Road, Basingstoke, Hants, RG24 9NA.

A printable membership form is also available from www.northhampshire.nhs.uk