14 October 2005
NHS foundation trusts have improved patient care but the government must offer additional support to ensure all trusts become foundations by 2008.
That is the conclusion of a report on the first 18 months of the initiative by the Foundation Trust Network, which represents all 32 foundations. The government wants all trusts to be ready to apply for foundation status by 2008 but there are concerns that many will fail the strict financial tests laid down by the foundation trust regulator, Monitor.
Network director Sue Slipman said this represented a real challenge and a few simple measures would help achieve this goal.
'We would like to see better preparation for trusts, based on a clear understanding of where they need to improve to meet Monitor's standards, and agreed action plans with support for trusts to help them achieve those standards,' she added.
So far, only top-performing three-star trusts have been able to apply for foundation status but even they have found Monitor's appraisal difficult. Some applications have been rejected or deferred as the regulator uncovered underlying financial problems.
This has so concerned the Department of Health that it is to test all non-foundation trusts using a method similar to that adopted by Monitor. This analysis should mean that by June next year all non-foundations will have a clear statement of the steps they must take to gain foundation status.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she was encouraged by the advances made by foundations over their first 18 months. And she committed the government to developing the initiative further.
'We will continue to create a strong and sustainable foundation trust sector for the benefit of patients and the NHS.'
Nick Jones, Healthcare Commission deputy head of strategy, agreed that foundations were showing 'real progress' on investing in patient care and promoting public involvement.
But he added: 'The emphasis now needs to be on clarifying the direction of policy, particularly if the government is to reach its goal for all trusts to have foundation status by 2008.'
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