Press release: Foundation Trust Network comments on Monitor second quartely report

18 Dec 2007

Sue Slipman, director of the Foundation Trust Network said:

"Monitor's call for independent review of foundation trusts' self-certification process will no doubt throw up some lessons for improving systems, but might also reveal that some of the government's targets are harder for already well performing organisations to achieve. This is particularly the case with the MRSA target where a year-on-year reduction is required; some foundation trusts have achieved such good results in previous years and now have such low numbers of cases that this target gets harder for them to reach. We hope that both the process lessons and lessons about the need for having achievable targets will be shared.   

"The Quarter 2 results show a welcome continuing strong financial performance from foundation trusts that are exceeding planned levels in an uncertain climate. Initial responses from a survey the Foundation Trust Network is conducting show that, despite a range of uncertainties that foundation trust boards are facing, they are currently implementing plans for using these surpluses to re-invest in health improvements. Foundation trusts are accumulating surpluses for long term and short term investment - planned capital programmes, and in year investment in clinical services, improving the quality of the patient experience, increasing capacity and developing new services in response to the outcome of the Darzi report."

 

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. 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.
2. 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.

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