1. What are NHS Foundation Trusts?
Foundation Trusts are still firmly part of the NHS and subject to NHS standards and systems of inspections, however they have less direction from central Government. Instead, staff, working with local people and patients, have greater freedom to develop services, which are responsive to the needs and expectations of their patients and local community.
There are three main components of an NHS Foundation Trust comprise:
• A Board of Directors made up of a Chairman, Non-Executive Directors, Chief Executive and Executive Directors.
• Public, patient and staff members are elected as governors who sit on the Governing Council. The Governing Council also includes representation from other local organisations such as the Primary Care Trust (PCT)
• A membership community made up of local people, patients, carers and staff employed by the Trust.
We are answerable to people in our local community who have chosen to become members of our Trust.
2. Are Foundation Trusts still part of the NHS?
Yes, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and all other Foundation Trusts are still part of the NHS, providing free healthcare based on need and not ability to pay and subject to the NHS standards and systems of inspections.
3. How much does it cost to become a member of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals?
Nothing – membership is completely free.
4. Are members’ views really listened to?
Yes! Here at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, we are committed to listening to our patients and our communities to put into practice what they want and how they wish to be treated.
Annual ‘Listening Events’ facilitates by elected governors and senior managers at the Trust have previously provided an effective mechanism for listening to Foundation Trust members views and using these to influence the way in which services are delivered.
You can find examples of how members' views have helped to shape the services we provide on our you said, we did page.
5. How long will I have to join for?
Members can cancel their membership at any time by contacting the Membership Office on 0800 073 0663 or be emailing foundation.trust@lthtr.nhs.uk
6. Are members entitled to a preferential service?
No. All patients, irrespective of whether they are a member or not, are treated equally according to their needs.
7. Will being a member take up a lot of my time?
No, not necessarily. Membership is designed to be flexible and members choose how much effort and time they want to put in. Some members simply want to express their support for the Trust and receive information through the post about what is going on in the hospitals, whilst others want to attend events, meetings or take part in consultations. With over 21,000 members, even those wanting high involvement aren’t required to give up much of their time.
8. Is there a limit to the number of people who can join?
No, there is no limit to the number of members. Serving a local community of 390,000 and wider population of 1.5 million with specialist services, it is important that the Trust comprises of a membership which is reflective of the profile of the local area.
9. What happens if an NHS Trust performs poorly?
If something seriously goes wrong it would be the responsibility, initially, of the Trust itself to take appropriate remedial action. If the situation continues or becomes more serious the Independent Regulator, called Monitor would have the statutory power to intervene.
