The FTN will work to influence the external environment, to protect and promote the operating freedoms of foundation trusts, and promote changes that allow foundation trusts to be part of the solution to the challenges facing the UK public sector.
During 2010/2011 we will:
- Continue our push on the private patient income cap to enable foundation trusts to usetheir freedmons to benefit NHS patients. In 2009, following FTN lobbying which highlighted the pressing need to reform the cap, the Government has brought forward an amendment which gioves mental health foundation trusts a private income cap of 1.5% (where it was previously zero) and announced a fast-track review of the cap for all foundation trusts.
- Promote foundation trusts in the development of the NHS operating environment, especially on key issues such as Payment by Results and tariff, CQUIN and the negotiation of standard contracts.
- Maintain and develop our relationships with key organisations to help shape a system framework for foundation trusts that is light-touch, avoids duplication, promotes quality, protects FT operating freedoms and promotes a level-playing field.
- For foundation trusts, Quality Accounts are a way of demonstrating public accountability on the quality of services, a key driver for quality improvement. Whilst there are national demands for benchmarkable information across foundation trusts, the FTN is keen to ensure that foundation trusts are still free to engage local stakeholders in a dialogue to determine local improvement priorities and measuring and reporting on what matters most to them.
- Promote an employer-led approach on workforce issues.
Our policy and influencing work is based on consultation with members to determine your priority issues and concerns.
For a list of current consultations, please contact mandip.kaur@nhsconfed.org or take a look at our recent consultation responses.