Sir.-Re Proposed Foundation Trust.

Providing the North Hampshire Hospital really is "owned and represented" by its local population, I agree with Dr Hilary Jones and fully support Foundation Trust Status.

Nevertheless, as a previous medical director at the hospital, I feel disheartened on reading part of the consultation document.

The section on Governance Arrangements includes: "Non-executive directors will be selected using a person specification and will collectively reflect the breadth of skills, which are required to make up an effective board. Suitable individuals may be sought from a variety of sources such as business, the law, academia, patient and carer groups and the Partners Council".

I would not deny the importance of lawyers and business people on the board and applaud the inclusion of patient group representatives.

Nevertheless, it is sad that anyone with extensive hands-on clinical experience in the NHS is actively discouraged (by omission) to seek to become a non-executive director.

Our community must have the right to choose their representatives on the Foundation Trust Board - the decision cannot be left to management consultants.

Mr David Emmerson, the chairman of the North Hampshire Hospital NHS Trust, should amend the consultation document to read, "Suitable individuals for election as non-executive directors may include nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, doctors and other healthcare professionals".

-Richard Browne FRCS, The Lynches, Kingsclere.