About acute trusts

In England there are 175 acute trusts, including 105 foundation trusts.

Acute trusts may manage more than one hospital, be regional or national centres for specialist care or be linked to universities that train healthcare professionals. Acute trusts can also provide services in their local community, through health centres, clinics or in people's homes.

Acute trusts earn their income through providing healthcare commissioned by PCTs, as set out in a service level agreement between the two organisations. They have a legal duty to break even financially, earn a six per cent return on their capital, and achieve minimum quality standards. They must work in partnership with other NHS organisations, local authorities and the voluntary sector.

Although strategic health authorities (SHAs) manage their performance, acute trusts are largely self-governing organisations. Their boards comprise a chair, five non-executive directors and five executives - including the chief executive and usually the medical, nursing and finance directors. Acute trusts employ most of the health service's workforce.