The Foundation Trust Network welcomes the new freedoms for foundation trusts to innovate to improve services for patients outlined in the White Paper, in particular the greater scope for mergers, joint working and other innovative ways of working; and the abolition of the Private Patient Income Cap.
The FTN has been lobbying for an end to the Private Patient Income Cap which has restricted foundation trusts’ ability to offer additional services and attract extra resources into the NHS at a time of economic crisis.
However, the transition to the new national health system will not be easy. We look forward to working with the Coalition Government to address and clarify outstanding issues of detail on the future nature of public assets and access to capital, the nature of the failure regime and overcoming conflicts of interest in the new regulatory environment – all issues that remain of concern to foundation trusts.
Sue Slipman, Director of the Foundation Trust Network said:
“It is now time for foundation trusts to exercise their freedoms to the full for the benefit of patients. Foundation trusts will play a key role in working with all providers to manage strategic responsibilities in the new health service including planning and developing the workforce; governance and leadership; and quality and safety.”