73 national health service foundation trusts (NHSFTs) have so far been authorised by Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts), accounting for almost one third of the total number of acute and mental health trusts.
All remaining trusts have a timetable to apply for NHSFT status and more trusts are becoming authorised each month. There are currently 23 trusts that have gained support from the Secretary of State and are being considered for potential authorisation. Target dates for authorisation are agreed between Monitor and applicant trusts. Further waves of trusts will continue to be put forward to Monitor. The Department is working with strategic health authorities, who are managing the NHSFT pipeline, and Monitor to increase the success rate of around two thirds of trusts becoming authorised during a first assessment.