Press release: NHS Confederation calls for peers to back Foundation Bill
08 Sep 2003
The NHS Confederation is calling for peers to back Foundations as a step in the right direction, warning against moves to further water down the freedoms available to the new style NHS Trusts. The call comes on the day that the Health and Social Care Bill starts its progression through the Lords.
Dr Gill Morgan, Chief Executive, said: "The NHS Confederation has consistently argued that the NHS needs greater freedom from what the Department of Health itself describes as excessive government control. Whilst we understand some of the concerns raised about Foundation status, these should not obscure the greater goal of giving local communities a greater opportunity to shape local services."
A Confederation/MORI poll of 100 chief executives earlier this year revealed that a majority backed Foundation status. It highlighted the belief that the greatest benefits of Foundation status could be to improve local accountability and provide more freedom to innovate to improve services for patients.
However, a more recent Confederation survey of Foundation applicants highlights real concerns that any further erosion of the freedoms proposed could mean that Foundation status would cease to offer real benefits from the current status quo.
Dr Morgan said: "There are clearly areas where the bill's proposals need further work, particularly to clarify and strengthen the role of the Board of Governors and its relationship to the Management Board. But we believe these issues can be resolved. To block the bill now, or to dilute the freedoms for Foundation Trusts, will defeat the ultimate objective of improving local accountability and giving more autonomy to those at the NHS front line."
ENDS
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
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