Becoming an NHS Foundation Trust will give us greater freedom and scope to provide even better services for our patients and the communities that we serve.
Notice of Election
The Trust gives notice that it will hold elections to the Council of Governors of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust. There will be 16 Public Governors and 5 Staff Governors.
Nominations forms to stand for election to these positions can be obtained from the Returning Officer from Wednesday 18th August 2010.
Completed nomination papers should be received by the Returning Officer, Christy Gerould, by 12 noon on Thursday 16th September 2010.
Foundation Trust Update
The overall application process has three main assessment stages; firstly the local Strategic Health Authority- in our case the South East Coast SHA. The next phase is review by the Department of Health, leading to approval by the Secretary of State. The third and final phase is assessment by the Regulator, Monitor.
Over the last few months we have been working our way through this three stage application process to become a Foundation Trust. It has been a long journey so far but we are really pleased to be able to tell you of the real progress we are making.
The first two phases of the application process involved scrutiny by the Strategic Health Authority- we passed through this stage in March this year. The second phase involved the Department of Health reviewing our application. Their technical advisors were happy to formally recommend us to the Secretary of State, but the timing of this coincided with the General Election, and a change of Government.
We are delighted to be able to tell you that on June 2010 the Secretary of State formally approved our application and we are therefore in the final assessment stage of becoming a Foundation Trust. This is carried out by the Regulator of Foundation Trusts – Monitor- and representatives of Monitor visited the Trust on 14th July 2010 as the start of the final assessment.
Foundation Trusts are the flagships of the NHS and in the move to less central accountability and more local accountability it is only right that those aspiring to become Foundation Trusts can demonstrate they have the capability and drive to succeed. As more organisations have become Foundation Trusts, and there has been subsequent evidence of poor performance by a few, the bar is being raised. This means quite rightly that not only is there a focus on being able to demonstrate the Trust can manage its finances and deliver national targets, but Foundation Trusts also need to be able to assure the public and the Regulator that the quality of care and safety is really sound.
NHS Foundation trusts are part of the NHS. They are not-for-profit public benefit organisations and were developed as part of the Government’s drive to devolve decision making from central to local organisations and communities. Having Governors will increase our relationship with the local community and Governors can be real ambassadors for the Trust, keep an eye on what the Trust is doing, influence how decisions are made and services are delivered. Governors can have their voice heard and represent the views of others.
If this appeals to you then you should consider becoming a Governor of the Trust and stand in our Council of Governor Elections 2010. There are no particular skills or qualifications which are defined as a requirement for the role. We welcome nominations from members of any age (over 16), race, colour, religious belief, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability or marital status.
How to become a governor
Our election will be run for us by Electoral Reform Services, which is an independent organisation .The process is very simple:
- In due course you will be asked request a nomination form from Electoral Reform Services
- You will need to complete and return these papers
- Voting packs will be sent to all members
- Voting will take place in time for authorisation hopefully in the late Autumn We are holding some events to give information on the role of the Governor- details are available from the membership office:
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It is vital we get your input into these plans and support from all parts of the public - so whether you are students, elderly, younger or middle aged - your views and support are equally important to us. If you would like to register your interest in becoming a member for our Trust or to be sent more information when it becomes available please email
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