What is an NHS Foundation Trust?
An NHS Foundation Trust is a completely new kind of NHS organisation. They are about the NHS working more closely with its local community rather than being run by central government.
They are still accountable to Parliament, but local people will have a much greater say in their local services.
As an NHS Foundation Trust we will still be part of the NHS and continue to provide mainly NHS services to NHS patients. We will be subject to the same healthcare standards as all other NHS Trusts.
NHS Foundation Trusts are overseen by the independent regulator, Monitor, to ensure financial and organisational performance is maintained.
Why are we applying?
We are applying to become a Foundation Trust so that we can continue to improve the services we offer, to invest in future developments, and engage local people and staff more in the planning of services.
We believe the benefits of Foundation Trust status for East Sussex Hospitals Trust, its staff and, most importantly, the local people who use our services are:
- Stronger links between patients and local communities and the Trust so their needs will be at the heart of everything we do.
- Our staff will have a greater involvement in shaping our future.
- We will be able to make crucial decisions about new services and facilities more independently and with the benefit of direct involvement from NHS and other partners, public and staff through the Council of Governors.
- We will have control over our finances.
