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Applying for NHS foundation trust status: Guide for mental health NHS Trusts
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Document type:Best Practice Guidance
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Author:Department of Health
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Published date:28 April 2006
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Primary audience:Professionals
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Product number:274413
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Gateway reference:6390
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Pages:32
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Copyright holder:Crown
Guide for mental health trusts interested in becoming NHSFTs (NHS foundation trusts). This document has been developed for potential mental health applicants, highlighting the opportunities and risks facing mental health applicants and provides guidance to address those risks.
NHS foundation trusts were established under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. They have grown out of the wider public service reform programme, offering greater autonomy and freedoms for NHS organisations within a national framework of standards and inspections.
In 2004, the Government invited NHS mental health trusts rated 3* by the Healthcare Commission to apply for NHS foundation trust status.
The Department of Health, Monitor, the first group of mental health NHS foundation trust applicants and their partner organisations have worked together to identify a number of common issues that need to be addressed through the application and authorisation process. There is also significant learning, relevant to mental health, from other trusts who have gone through the NHS foundation trust application process. This document is aimed to help mental health trusts prepare for NHS foundation trust status by sharing this learning.
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