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Foundation Trusts

Volume 448: debated on Thursday 13 July 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what powers foundation trust governors have to refer issues to the trust’s membership; and what status responses of those members have in relation to board policy; [R] (83273)

(2) what requirement there is on a board of a foundation trust to consult (a) members and (b) governors on major changes in service delivery.

NHS foundation trusts (NHSFTs) have a duty to encourage local people to become members and are accountable to their membership base via the board of governors. Membership must be representative of the communities served by NHSFTs.

Governors are responsible for representing the interests of the community in the management of the organisation and for sharing information about key decisions with members and receiving their views on specific issues. The constitution of each NHSFT details the practice and procedure of governors. While operational management decisions remain the responsibility of the board of directors, governors are able to influence decisions about priorities and the development and delivery of services made by directors who must consult and take the views of governors on board in forward planning.