North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is applying to become an NHS Foundation Trust.

What is a Foundation Trust?

Foundation Trusts are still part of the NHS and are subject to NHS standards, performance ratings and systems of inspection. Foundation Trusts operate according to NHS principles - free care, based on need and not ability to pay. The difference with a Foundation Trust is that it is run locally, with local people as members, having a say in how they wish their services to be developed.

Foundation Trusts enable local people to become involved in the democratic process of influencing how their health services are shaped in the future. The Trust invites local people to become members and the members then elect representatives to serve on a Council of Governors. The Trust is held to account by the Council of Governors for its performance and the Council will work with the Board of Directors to influence how services are developed and provided in the future. The Trust would still remain part of the NHS and will still be a primarily publicly funded and operated organisation.


Why do we want to become a Foundation Trust?

At a time of great economic challenge, the need to ensure we use public sector resources effectively is paramount. We believe becoming a Foundation Trust will give us the very best opportunity to deliver our future vision to provide a high quality clinical service which meets the needs of our patients and public across the North West, whilst making the very best use of our resources.

 

What do we think are the main benefits to NWAS and its users? Freedom to design services that meet community needs: NHS Foundation Trusts have more freedom from central Government control, to work with communities to design services which meet their needs. Greater financial freedoms: New financial freedoms will allow us to keep any surplus funds to invest in better facilities and services for patients. We will have greater financial stability with longer contracts with our Commissioners which will support longer term planning for our future. Much more involvement for staff and the public to have their say in developing services, when they choose to become a member of the organisation: Members will have a real opportunity to participate and influence our ambulance service. The opportunity to have a voice as a Governor of the organisation: Members will be able to stand for election as a Governor of the NHS Foundation Trust. Governors will appoint the Chair and Non-Executive Directors of the Trust. They will have a bigger say in how the ambulance service is run. Support for staff and improvement to their working lives: Staff will benefit from better access to training and development opportunities through longer term investment. Staff, as both members and governors, will also have a greater influence on decision making and the future planning of services. Strengthening local partnerships: More opportunities to work in closer partnership with other organisations and communities to provide joined up services for patients and the public across health and social care.