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FOUNDATION TRUST STATUS. What is a Foundation Trust?. It is an NHS organisation, first established in April 2004 Foundation Trusts operate according to NHS principles – free care, based on need and not ability to pay
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What is a Foundation Trust? • It is an NHS organisation, first established in April 2004 • Foundation Trusts operate according to NHS principles – free care, based on need and not ability to pay • The difference with a Foundation Trust is that it is run locally, with staff and local people as members, having a say in how they wish their services to be developed • Regulated by Monitor
Benefits • Better and more inclusive governance • Local ownership & involvement council of governors and members • A unitary board of directors • Greater patient, public and staff involvement • Increased engagement & communication • FT status & reputation should attract and retain high calibre staff • Staff have a involvement in shaping of future services • Organisational freedoms • Able to decide on how the trust is managed, including freedom to develop services • Decision making on capital investments • Planning on a longer timescale • Financial freedoms • Legally binding contracts with commissioners • Greater financial flexibility & stability • Ability to generate surpluses & reinvest them • Ability to borrow money to fund capital and service developments
NWAS will have a better and more inclusive governance in which staff and the public can be involved • Local issues raised through members, a Council of Governors to a unitary Board of Directors • The Trust will have greater financial freedoms • The Trust will be regulated by an independent regulator • The Trust will have undergone a thorough “fitness” test
Membership Appointment and Reporting Lines Appoints Executive Directors Non-executive Directors Members Governors Accountable to
Consultation and Engagement • In line with Cabinet Office Code of Practice 2005 and NHS confederation guidance • Pre-engagement activities • Consultation preparation and scoping • Staff communications and forums • Contact with key stakeholders and partners regarding consultation arrangements • Exploring opportunities for membership recruitment • Community engagement programme
Consultation and Engagement • Consultation plans • A full consultation document and associated materials • Geographically spread public meetings/events • Existing forums and meetings • Specific and targeted stakeholder events and meetings • Staff engagement activities • Public communications and media activity • Patient information • Website and other e-communications
What we are consulting on • Our vision and values • Our future direction of travel and five year plans • How we will be run as a FT • Governance arrangements • Membership • Required to evidence process and feedback as part of authorisation
Taking up Membership • Membership recruitment will start on the 7th September • Proposal - two categories of members, staff and public • Staff members automatically become an FT member with an option to opt out • Different levels of membership
What will Members be able to do? • Have a say • Help raise awareness of ambulance services across the North West • Represent the views and needs of the local community • Influence proposed changes to services and future plans for development • Stand for election for the Council of Governors • Vote in the election for the Council of Governors
Timeline SHA Assurance Phase Now-April 2010 DoH Applications Committee April 2010 – June 2010 Monitor Phase Starts June 2010 Potential FT Authorisation Date Beginning Sept 2010 All Dates indicative as Trust will be continually assessed
Progress with Application • Diagnostic process complete • Action plan agreed • Recruitment of CEO and Director of Performance and Patient Experience • Sustained Category B performance • Outlined the future service development plans as part of the Integrated Business Plan • Outlined the financial models to deliver the plans • SHA Assurance Phase commenced • Consultation • Submission of plans • Board to Board and interviews • Sign off Constitution • Trust is in a good position to move ahead