In December 2003 Guy's and St Thomas' submitted an application to
the Secretary of State for Health to become an NHS Foundation Trust.
The application was approved in principle in January 2004, subject
to the final approval of the Independent Regulator for NHS Foundation
Trusts.
On 1 July 2004 the Independent Regulator accepted our application
and licensed us to become Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
As a Foundation Trust we have a Members' Council made up of patients,
staff, local people and local organisations. There are 10 public,
10 patient and 7 staff members, all elected from the membership,
together with 10 nominated members from local organisations, including
the local Primary Care Trusts.
Why did we apply to become an NHS Foundation Trust?
As a Foundation Trust, we are still firmly part of the NHS and
have to meet the same national targets and standards. However, the
change in governance arrangements is significant and is designed
to lead to greater local accountability and to provide new opportunities
for local people, patients and staff to have a say about the way
we provide our services.
NHS Foundation Trust status also gives us greater freedom from central
Government control and new financial flexibility.
Further information
For further information about Foundation Trusts and about Guy’s
and St Thomas’ application for Foundation Trust status, visit:
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