Press release: FTN responds to Monitor's review of NHS Foundation Trusts' Annual plans 2007-2008

22 Aug 2007

Sue Slipman, Director of the Foundation Trust Network, said:

"The Foundation Trust Network welcomes the Monitor review of foundation trusts' annual plans for the coming year - it confirms that foundations trusts are a high achieving part of the NHS. They are financially robust, delivering planned surpluses and investing in patient services.

"Moreover, performance is consistently improving, with year-on-year efficiency gains and growing levels of local engagement and accountability. Monitor's approach to risk regulation has played a significant role in enabling FTs to achieve their potential.

"However, one section of the report suggests that Monitor would impose an independent review of FT board self certification, where it considers that FT boards are falling short. Foundation Trusts would be concerned if this marked a move away from its role as a risk-based regulator towards direct performance management. The focus should be upon FT corporate boards retaining responsibility for addressing legitimate concerns.

"Overall, we know foundation trusts are using their financial freedoms and better governance arrangements to take the NHS in a new direction, as highlighted in our report NHS Foundation trusts: the story so far, released earlier this year. Monitor's findings reflect these achievements, showing that foundation trust membership is set to reach 1.5 million by April 2008."

Ends

Notes for editors

1. To download a copy of NHS Foundation trusts: the story so far, please visit http://www.nhsconfed.org/ftn/index.cfm
2. The Foundation Trust Network represents existing foundation trusts as well as over 40 acute and mental health trusts preparing for foundation status. It was established in June 2004 to represent the views of foundation trusts, to influence health policy and to share learning and good practice. The Network is hosted by the NHS Confederation.
3. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

4. Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.

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