NHS Direct confirms its intention to become a Foundation Trust
25 Feb 2011
NHS Direct has written to the Secretary of State for Health to confirm its intention to become a Foundation Trust from April 2013.
This follows the Government’s confirmation that all existing NHS Trusts - of which NHS Direct is one - must either be merged into other organisations or become Foundation Trusts by April 2014 at the latest.
Nick Chapman, NHS Direct Chief Executive, said:
“We have confirmed in a letter to the Secretary of State our intention to become a Foundation Trust from April 2013. This timetable is supported by the Department of Health and our main Commissioner, the East of England Strategic Health Authority.
“Our role in delivering the 111 service when it is introduced nationally is key to our intention to become a Foundation Trust. Our successful role in the existing pilots puts us in a strong position to be part of more 111 pilots during 2011, and to compete for future 111 contracts alongside other providers.
“Foundation Trust status will give us greater freedom to be innovative, greater financial flexibility and ability to work in partnership with other healthcare organisations. It also means that members of the public and our staff will have more input in how we are run.”
Find out more by reading our letter to the Secretary of State for Health in February’s board papers.
