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A locally driven service

NHS Foundation Trusts are a new type of NHS organisation and were created to move power away from central government to the local community. This means we will have greater freedom to plan and shape healthcare services for the people of Nottingham. The main features of an NHS Foundation Trust are

• NHS Foundation Trusts are still part of the NHS
  NHS Foundation Trusts continue to operate under core NHS values and principles, offering free care, based on need, not the ability to pay. The Trust will be regulated by an independent body, Monitor, and from April 2009, inspected by the Care Quality Commission to ensure that it continues to meet NHS standards of excellence.
  
• Working within the local community, for the local community
  An NHS Foundation Trust has a much clearer focus on the needs and expectations of local people because it is a membership organisation. Local people, including patients, their carers and families and our staff, can all become members of the Trust. As an NHS Foundation Trust we will be directly accountable to our membership.

• Democracy is at the heart of an NHS Foundation Trust
  As a member, you can elect representatives to serve on the new Board of Governors and play a significant role in shaping the future direction of the organisation. Having a say in the healthcare services we provide and how their NHS Foundation Trust is run, will give local people a real sense of ownership of their hospitals.

• Greater financial freedom
  As an NHS Foundation Trust we will be able to keep financial surpluses and reinvest them in the services most appropriate to local needs. NHS Foundation Trusts can also borrow money, within set limits, for building and other projects and keep the proceeds from any asset sales, such as the sale of land.
  
• Freedom from government control
  Becoming an NHS Foundation Trust means far greater local ownership and involvement. NHS Foundation Trusts are locally run and are locally accountable. This form of public ownership is called a public benefit corporation.