Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, the county’s mental health, learning disability and community health services provider has been given the green light from the Secretary of State for Health to apply to become a full NHS Foundation Trust.
The Trust is currently mid way through its formal public consultation, which began on 1st September, and is actively seeking the views and opinions of its patients, service users, staff and wider stakeholders. The consultation period ends on 30th Novembe.
Members of the public are invited to hear the proposals in more detail at Mansfield Civic Centre on Wednesday 14th November, 6.30-8.30pm.
The move follows the Foundation Trust Standard secured two years ago in 2010. Benefits would include:
Stronger management and governance by having better systems in place
More flexibility – the organisation will have the power to determine its own future developments.
Clearer and more robust financial plans
Professor Mike Cooke CBE, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “We are delighted that we now have the opportunity to become a full NHS Foundation Trust, which will enable us to develop and sustain a better and more integrated approach to physical, mental and community health services across the county and beyond. The Foundation Trust status will empower the organisation to significantly build upon the Foundation Trust equivalent standard we achieved in 2010.
“We have developed some very clear objectives for the next three years and are working hard to consult with all of our stakeholders, especially the views of our patients, service users and colleagues. The formal public consultation is a real opportunity for everyone to discuss our plans and participate by having their say. By becoming a Foundation Trust, we will have greater control over our future as well as being more accountable to our local population.”
To feedback on this consultation please fill in the feedback form attached to the consultation document, or complete it online by visiting our web site at www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk or call 0115 993 4530.