Building a new future... with your help

Working towards becoming an NHS Foundation Trust

Following our initial public consultation in 2007, the Trust Board has remained committed to the organisation becoming an NHS Foundation Trust (FT) and has grown its FT membership to over 3000. We see Foundation Trust status as a real opportunity to improve services for our patients and to plan our future in consultation with local people, our patients and partner organisations.

In simple terms, NHS Foundation Trusts, which have been established since 2004, give NHS hospitals important freedoms.

• They are free of Department of Health management. They remain part of the NHS and subject to national standards but can make their own decisions, as long as they are financially viable and are managed effectively.
• They are able to use any financial surpluses they make to improve services, rather than handing the cash back to a central NHS body. They have contracts with one or more commissioners to provide a range of services, but can decide how best to spend their money to benefit their patients.
• They are answerable to local people and others who are members of the Trust and become involved in how it provides services. Members vote for Governors, who join a council of governors that brings the views of the patients to senior management. Governors appoint the Chairman and Non-executive Directors of the Board.

In September 2011, the Board will decide on the most appropriate organisational form for the RNOH to enable us to ensure that our services are protected in the long term. Becoming a stand-alone Foundation Trust remains our priority but we need to assure ourselves that our organisational form enables us to be resilient both clinically and financially.

In the meantime, we are keen to hear from patients and members of the public who wish to become members of our NHS Foundation Trust so that they can get involved in decision-making and be the first to hear about developments at the Trust. To apply, complete the membership application form online or download the form and return it to us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rob Hurd, Chief Executive