Birmingham Children's Hospital announced its plans yesterday to apply for foundation trust status and is now lobbying the public for their opinions.
The hospital is now holding a series of meetings to hear what local people think about their proposals.
The move is seen as the obvious way forward for the hospital to develop its services for the 200,000 patient who visit it each year.
The trust is holding 18 meetings as far afield as Herefordshire and Staffordshire, as the hospital treats children from across the Midlands and other parts of the UK.
Audiences will find out exactly what gaining foundation status would mean to the hospital and its patients, and be given the chance to let hospital staff know exactly what they think.
Chris Emerton, who is overseeing the hospital's public consultation, said: "This is seen as the next logical step for the Children's Hospital and it gives the patients, public and staff a real opportunity to have a say in how we are run.
"We consider ourselves very much part of the community and as a foundation trust we believe we have a lot to offer through working in partnership with communities to contribute to their health and prosperity."
