A CAMPAIGN to encourage people to become involved in shaping the future of healthcare in their area has been launched by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Say yes to your NHS is the slogan behind a drive to get more people involved and decide how best Chorley and Royal Preston Hospitals should be run if they receive Foundation Trust status.

Health chiefs are pressing for Foundation Trust status for the hospitals.

A spokesman explained: "Foundation Trust gives the hospital a greater flexibility and freedom to address the needs of patients more effectively.

"It basically means it will be more accountable locally."

A website - www.sayyes.nhs.uk - has been unveiled along with posters and leaflets which aim to inform people about how things are changing at their local hospitals and how they can become involved.

Interested people could sit on the Foundation Trust council and even be elected to its board, for example.

Tony Curtis, chief executive, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are encouraging as many people as possible to become members.

"Those who are eligible include anyone who has been a patient in the last three years at Chorley and South Ribble and Royal Preston Hospitals and the old Sharoe Green Hospital.

"Membership is also open to people who live in the local area and staff employed by the trust."

He added: "Foundation trust status will provide us with new opportunities to borrow money to invest in improving services that meet local needs and that's where local people, patients and staff come in.

"We want them to sign up as members and give us their views, suggestions and ideas to help shape our plans to deliver future healthcare."

Anyone who would like to register their interest in becoming a member should call Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust free on 0800 073 0663 or visit www.sayyes.nhs.uk