The Foundation Trust Network has launched a review of foundation trusts’ experiences in leading the way for the NHS in developing Quality Accounts.
Quality Accounts2 – Reviewing NHS Foundation trusts’ 2009 experiences and plans tells the stories of how FTs pioneered reporting their quality standards. Now all NHS trusts have to produce Quality Accounts to demonstrate their public accountability and act as a lever to understand what matters most to the trust’s stakeholders.
Quality Accounts are also drivers for change. Successful Quality Accounts strike a balance between reporting on quality indicators measured across the sector, and measuring and reporting on what matters to local people and stakeholders.
The review draws on Foundation Trust Network (FTN) member organisations’ experience with Quality Accounts, including their engagement with stakeholders - from board to ward.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust took to the streets, supermarket car parks and GP surgeries in a joint operation with the local police to understand local priorities. The police presence reassured people that they were not canvassing or selling anything and the trust gained 370 new members.
At Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust emphasised its commitment to sustainability and responsibility as a major local employer to look at travel, procurement, facilities and the workforce to enhance its corporate citizenship and record savings ,linked to the sustainability initiative.
Clinicians at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital were involved in the production of Quality Accounts by helping to identify the right indicators to measure the quality of their work.
Sue Slipman, Director of the Foundation Trust Network said:
“Quality Accounts will give foundation trusts the scope to concentrate and refine their thinking about priorities and communicate their philosophy a wider audience. It will also enhance their accountability to members and governors, and above all it will help to improve the quality of services to patients.”