HOSPITALS in Morecambe Bay agreed this week to bid for foundation trust status.

Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust chief executive Ian Cumming said the move should deliver greater local control over health care and unleash large sums of cash.

It was also agreed that the Bay's three hospitals, including Royal Lancaster Infirmary, would become teaching units for medical students in Liverpool - prompting the trust to change its name to University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust.

An application for foundation status will be submitted to the Department of Health on June 18 and, if approved, foundation hospitals will go live in October.