West Suffolk Hospital is one of the three run by the trust

The launch, at Bury St Edmunds market on Saturday led by trust chairman Veronica Worrall, marks the start of a 10-week consultation period.

The trust is eligible for foundation status after its performance was awarded three-star rating last summer.

The trust runs Bury's West Suffolk Hospital and Sudbury's Walnuttree and St Leonard's Hospitals.

"This is the most exciting and significant change in the West Suffolk Hospital's long and distinguished history," said Ms Worrall.

'Direct say'

"For the first time every adult member of the community that we serve will be able to have a direct say in the future of the health services we provide."

More than 100,000 summary leaflets on the campaign will be sent to patients, carers, members of the public and members of trust staff.

All the public documents contain forms which in people can express an interest in becoming members of the new NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust is also holding public meetings throughout the area and is hoping to be invited to address groups and members of organisations during the 10-week consultation period which ends on April 30.