A new body needed to help run Leicester's hospitals has found less than half of its future members. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) has recruited just 4,100 of the 10,000 volunteers it needs for its foundation trust.
UHL needs to hit the 10,000 target by March 2006 in order to be granted foundation status, gaining greater financial independence.
January will see 50,000 leaflets sent out encouraging more people to sign up.
Pauline Tagg, director of nursing and lead director for membership, said: "We are about to send out more information leaflets explaining about membership and encouraging people to become a member."
The volunteers will be used in a consulting role, taking part in surveys and passing feedback to the management.
UHL submitted its full application to the Department of Health on 9 December and hopes to become a Foundation Trust in April 2006, subject to approval from the Secretary of State.
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