Lincolnshire's first ever elections for an NHS trust have been announced.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust, the county’s specialist mental health provider, is seeking to become a Foundation Trust. Although still part of the NHS, it will have a new Board of Governors, who are elected by its members, ordinary members of the public, staff and service users and carers.

Around 4,600 people from across Lincolnshire have already joined the Trust as members, and between Wednesday 22 August and Tuesday 11 September they will be able to vote for someone to represent them on the Board of Governors.

Trust Chairman Alison Healey said: “Governors are a key way in which the needs and views of local people will be represented in our new Foundation Trust. They will speak for the people who elected them at the highest level within the Trust.

“There is still time to become a member, and have a say in how your local health services are run. People from all walks of life right across Lincolnshire have signed up to become a member, but we will always want more members so that we can have as many people’s views represented as possible.”

Members are also eligible to stand as a governor in the elections, but nominations close on 2 August.

The membership list closes on Wednesday of next week.