Local NHS bosses will be bought under democratic control as a result of legislation promised under the Queen's Speech.

Legislation will be brought forward will allow for election of patients representatives and local councillors onto the Trust Board that runs and finance the local NHS. At the moment all NHS Trust members are appointed making the Trusts quangos.

John Pugh who has long campaigned for democratic control of local NHS spending is delighted. John introduced a Private Members Bill in the last parliament  for this purpose and welcomes his suggestions being incorporated in law.

"For too long the local NHS has been able to ignore Southport people's wishes and tell us what they think we should get. They have dragged their feet over issues like Children's A&E and urgent care despite massive public opposition and concentrated on what they think are the priorities.

"Hopefully this system is coming to an end. Local patient reps elected by us and councillors elected by us know have a better grasp of what the people's priorities are and if they don't they wont stay elected. As ever they will be limited by budgets and practicalities but this is a huge step forward to wrest power off the quangos."