Issue - meetings

To receive an update from Julie Green, Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance, East Cheshire NHS Trust

Julie Green, Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance, East Cheshire NHS Trust, updated on the current position with Foundation Trust Status.  A tri partite agreement had been signed between the Department of Health, Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and the East Cheshire Hospital Trust to go forward towards Foundation Trust status.  There was a three stage process involving the Strategic Health Authority; then the Department of Health and finally Monitor who would look at quality assessment and financial sustainability.

The Trust had developed a five year Integrated Business Plan which was awaiting feedback from the Strategic Health Authority.  The Trust Board had successfully completed a Board Governance Assurance Assessment which had looked at leadership, Board skills etc.  A monthly performance meeting took place with the Strategic Health Authority, this included completion of a single operating model statement outlining performance and quality indicators.  Then an assessment of Historic Due Diligence was to be carried out.  After that a period of consultation would take place once the SHA had confirmed the date.  In preparation for the consultation, the Trust was looking at Governor Development Plans and a Membership Scheme. 

In discussing the item, the following points were raised:

      Whether the Trust had kept contact details of people who had expressed an interest in becoming a Member of the Trust from four years ago when the Foundation Trust process had previously been considered?  In response, the Committee was advised that the details had been kept and the Trust was hoping to reengage with them shortly;

      What was the relationship between the Trust and the Clinical Commissioning Groups?  The Committee was advised that representatives of the Clinical Commissioning Groups were invited to meetings of the Foundation Trust Committee and the External Assessor had met with Commissioners too;

      It was noted that Monitor had delayed some applications and it was asked whether it was possible to learn from those delayed applications?  Ms Green explained that Monitor had produced a schedule of lessons learned and this was available and the Trust had referred to it as guidance.  

RESOLVED:  that the update on Foundation Trust status be noted.