Monitor - Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts
Three new foundation trusts authorised by Monitor
Published on: 26th February 2010
Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts, has confirmed the following foundation trusts will be authorised from 1 March 2010:
- 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust;
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; and
- South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.
The announcement means there are now 129 NHS foundation trusts in total, of which 40 are mental health NHS foundation trusts.
Having achieved NHS foundation trust status these trusts will benefit from a variety of new freedoms:
- they are free from central government control and are able to decide how to improve their services;
- they can retain any surpluses they generate to invest in new services, and can borrow money to support these investments; and
- they are accountable to their local communities; local people can become members and governors.
These freedoms mean NHS foundation trusts can better shape their healthcare services around local needs and priorities and the requirements of their primary care trusts.
Notes to editors
- Over half of acute and mental health trusts are now foundation trusts:
- 53% of acute and 70% of mental health trusts are now NHS foundation trusts
- NHS foundation trusts have a cumulative turnover in excess of £25 billion
- NHS foundation trusts now employ over 430,000 staff
-The first wave of acute NHS foundation trusts were authorised by Monitor on 1 April 2004 - For media enquiries please contact Michael Moruzzi on 020 7340 2438.
- Monitor authorises and regulates NHS foundation trusts ensuring they are well-managed and financially viable in order to deliver high quality healthcare for patients.
- Monitor was established in January 2004. It is independent of government and accountable to Parliament. Monitor’s functions and powers are set out in the National Health Service Act 2006.