THE health trust which runs Andover and Winchester hospitals is about 12 months away from winning foundation status.
Chief executive Martin Wakeley said the Strategic Health Authority was pleased with what the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare Trust was doing.
"We are getting very serious about who we are, what we stand for and what we're good at and what we're not good at," he said.
And the trust board is working very hard, with many 12-hour days to make sure it becomes a reality.
Mr Wakeley said: "It will enable us to invest in those parts of our services that patients really welcome.
"So if there's a priority that local people determine that is contrary to national priorities then it enables us to concentrate on what local people want. Hopefully they will be complementary."
It will also allow the trust to generate surpluses that can be re-invested in the services.
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