| Synopsis: |
This report concentrates in detail on the practicalities of the policies set out in the Government's "Guide to Foundation Trusts", (Department of Health, 2002). It examines two key issues: will the proposed changes bring about improvements for patients who are treated by foundation hospitals? And what implications will the proposed changes have for patients being treated in the rest of the NHS? The Committee identifies several areas where more work is needed to ensure improvements to patient services: democratic accountability, possible increase in bureaucracy, relations between foundation trusts and the primary care trusts. The Committee does not believe that all NHS trusts can achieve foundation status within four to five years. In the wider NHS, care must be taken to ensure there is no move away from the emphasis on primary care. Mechanisms will be needed to prevent foundation trusts attracting resources away from poorer-performing hospitals, and wage inflation and staff-poaching are seen as possible problem areas. The impact of foundation trusts on the resourcing, staffing and performance of other NHS organisations must be carefully monitored to ensure equity within the NHS. |