An NHS trust which manages hospitals in west London wants to become independent to have a greater say on how it delivers healthcare.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is consulting on becoming a foundation trust, a not-for-profit organisation that provides free NHS care using powers devolved from government.

A public consultation into the proposals ends on February 10.

A public meeting will be held on Thursday (Jan 16) from 6-7.30pm at Great Western 2, Hilton Hotel in Praed Street, Paddington.

Nick Cheshire, chief executive at Imperial, said: “We see achieving foundation trust status as a means towards bringing our Trust closer to our patients and local communities, further strengthening engagement with our people and providing greater freedom to innovate and develop our services.”

Imperial manages Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary’s, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea and the Western Eye hospitals, providing care for around two million people in north-west London.

Visit www.imperial.nhs.uk/foundation-trust for more information.