East Cheshire Hospital Trust - update on Foundation Trust status, the integration of the community health service and the Trust's Annual Plan
Julie Green, Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance to provide a verbal update
Minutes:
Val Aherne, Deputy Chief Executive of East Cheshire Hospital Trust, updated on the transfer of community services. The Trust had taken on various community services following the transfer of such services from the PCT, including services such as health visitors and other paediatric services. The transfer had resulted in some support service efficiencies and service improvements which had arisen from looking at patient flow. There were some consultant services operating within the community and it had been possible to introduce joint administration services and reception services to release resources to spend on front line services. The Trust was preparing for the introduction of Clinical Commissioning Groups.
Julie Green, Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance, outlined progress with the application for Foundation Trust (FT) status. The Trust had been assessed on quality and financial governance and was now able to progress towards formal consideration starting in Autumn 2012 with a view to achieving FT status by April 2013. A Project Manager had been appointed and the Clinical Strategy would be submitted to the Trust Board in January 2012.
In response to a question on membership, Ms Green explained that the Trust did have a membership and she had held a meeting recently with the Project Manager and Communications Officer regarding the role of the membership and introducing communication processes with the membership.
RESOLVED: that the update be noted.