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Foundation Trust Members Area
The Background
What Are Foundation Trusts?
NHS Foundation Trusts are part of the NHS. They treat NHS patients according to NHS principles and standards. The difference is they will be run locally, not by Government, and so will be able to work closely with their community to develop services in the way that best suits the needs of local people.
The new organisations will have boards of governors, with representatives
elected by local people and staff. They will be free from Government control
and free to manage their own budgets. As a key part of the NHS, Foundation
Trusts will continue to be inspected by the Healthcare Commission to the
same standards as other NHS Trusts. They will continue to provide services
according to the NHS principle of free care – based on need and not
the ability to pay – and the assets used to deliver NHS services will
be protected under law.
How Does This Benefit The Community?
With greater freedoms as an NHS Foundation Trust, we will be able to
develop services that are more responsive to local needs. A new funding
system will allow us to borrow, up to an agreed limit, and keep any surpluses.
We can then use this money to improve facilities and services, without
having to go through lengthy bidding procedures in competition with other
NHS organisations. We will, however, still be able to apply for funds
made available to meet national priorities. We will continue to plan
and work closely with other partners in the local NHS and social services.
However, the greater freedoms to set up new types of partnerships and
to work differently will lead to new and innovative service developments.
How Does This Benefit Staff?
As an NHS Foundation Trust we will be able to explore different ways
of working in partnership with staff to deliver local services with increased
freedom to reward excellence. Staff will have the opportunity to become
a member of our NHS Foundation Trust and elect staff members on the board
of governors. All staff terms and conditions of service will remain unchanged.
