Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting unveiled a new advanced foundation trust status at NHS Providers annual conference.
The new designation will reward the ‘very best leaders' in the NHS with even greater freedom to make decisions locally – from how services are organised to how money is spent – so that care can be designed around what works best for local people, not dictated from Whitehall.
NHS England has nominated eight of the highest-performing trusts to become the first advanced foundation trusts, who will be among those eligible to be considered based on their record of delivering quality care, strong finances and effective partnerships with staff and local services. These trusts will then be assessed by an independent panel.
The trusts nominated for assessment are:
- Berkshire Healthcare NHS FT
- Dorset Healthcare University NHS FT
- Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS FT
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT
- Alder Hey Children's NHS FT
- Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
- Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
Trusts granted the status will also need to demonstrate they are implementing the three big shifts of the 10-Year Health Plan – from sickness to prevention, hospital to community, and analogue to digital.
They will be independently reviewed at least every five years to maintain the highest standards and encourage continuous improvement.
In addition, some trusts may also take on Integrated Healthcare Organisation contracts, giving them control of the local health budget and responsibility for improving population health. This will support a shift in resources from hospitals to neighbourhood and community-based care.
Streeting said: ‘This government has given all trusts more independence and freedom, but the new "advanced foundation trust" designation will grant extra autonomy to local leaders who met a high bar of assessment.
‘Taken together, these reforms are designed to speed up the drive to cut waiting times, expand community-based care and reduce health inequalities as part of the 10-Year Health Plan.'
