18 March 2008
Hospital’s Foundation Trust journey starts here
Mid Essex Hospitals, who run Broomfield and St John’s, have begun their journey towards becoming a Foundation Trust (FT) in early 2009.
NHS foundation Trusts have been created to devolve decision-making from central government control to local organisations and communities so they are more responsive to the needs and wishes of their local people.
Ruth May, chief executive of mid Essex hospitals, said: ”This is great news for local people and our staff as becoming a Foundation Trust will mean that they can have a greater say in the running of their hospital and help us to decide on how we will provide services in the future.”
To become a Foundation Trust the hospital must be able to provide excellent clinical services and maintain control of its finances. The quality of the Trust’s services was recognised as “excellent” by the health watchdog, the Healthcare Commission in 2007 who also assess our maternity services as a national “best performer” in February. The hospital has worked very hard to address its financial challenges and hit all of its financial targets in 2007/08.
Ruth Adds: “This is an excellent time for us to begin our journey towards FT status. We have just begun our consultation period to ensure we know what our patients, staff, partners and the public think about us moving towards FT status and to seek their views on our plans for the future. It is really important that we have the active participation from these people, as it will help us decide our future direction that they can play an active part in by becoming members of the hospital. This is a great opportunity for people to get involved and help shape the future of their hospital for the next 20 years.”
The consultation period runs until Monday 7 July and copies of the consultation document, together with a feedback form and an FT application for can be found on the Trust’s new website www.meht.nhs.uk/foundation-trust/apply-online. For further information please contact the FT help line on 01245 514508 during normal office hours or e-mail ft@meht.nhs.uk.
ENDS
Media contact : Jo Triggs tel: (01245) 514235 | Mobile : 0790 005 4948
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