Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Trust

You are here  : Home Foundation Trust Foundation Trust News
An Update on our Progress Print
Written by Head of Corporate Affairs   
 
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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Members’ Matters

Welcome to our second edition of Members’ Matters, our magazine designed and written exclusively for our members.

I’d like to start by thanking those of you who took the time to let us know what you thought of our first edition. Your feedback was extremely useful and we have certainly tried to incorporate your comments. Please keep your feedback coming.


Members Matters (Spring 2010)
  • Celebrating our Champions
     
  • Long term plans for St Peter’s
  • Introducing Mr Hadley
  • Quality and Safety
  • Infection Control
 Download in PDF format
 

 
Last Updated ( Monday, 19 July 2010 13:57 )
 

Latest News


Ashford Hospital, London Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3AA
Switchboard: 01784 884488
St. Peter’s Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0PZ
Switchboard: 01932 872000