The Foundation Trust Board
The Board of an NHS Foundation Trust is required to have a majority of Non-Executive Directors (as now) with a broad range of management skills and experience. Their role will change to fit the greater accountability of Foundation Trust Boards.
When a new NHS Foundation Trust is formed, the Chairman and Non Executive Directors of the existing NHS Trust automatically transfer to the new Board if they so wish, either for the remaineder of their existing terms of office or for a period of 12 months, whichever is the longer. The Chief Executive also automatically transfers to the new Board.
After that, the Chair and Non-Executive Directors will be appointed by the Council of Governors for periods of no more than three years at a time. The Chair, who must be a non-executive director, also chairs the Council of Governors.
The Non-Executive Directors will still appoint future Chief Executives. Executive Directors on NHS Foundation Trust Boards must include the Chief Executive, Director of Finance, a registered medical practitioner and registered nurse or midwife. The average board membership is 12 although the range is 10-16 individuals on the board and there is no official limit to the number of Non-Executive Directors who can be appointed. Their remuneration is set by the trust’s Remuneration Committee.
