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Press release: Government clarifies position on private sector involvement in management of failing trusts

05 Jul 2001

Following the speech by the NHS Chief Executive Nigel Crisp at today's NHS Confederation Conference, The NHS Confederation has received clarification on what government policy is on this matter.

"Ministers have clarified government policy on this matter. Top performing trusts will be able to compete to run failing trusts, but this will remain entirely within the NHS family. The leadership of such teams will come entirely from within the NHS", said Confederation chief executive Stephen Thornton. "Such teams might call upon private sector expertise in just the same way as trusts often do now, but the leadership will remain firmly within the NHS."

"This will allow the best of NHS management to assist others in need of support. It is a vote of confidence in NHS management".

Ends

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation's Annual Conference is taking place in Manchester between 4 - 6 July 2001.
2. The NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and health authorities in Wales; trusts and health boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
   

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