Five new hospitals gain Foundation status

Tuesday, 4 January 2005 12:00 AM

Five new hospitals have been granted Foundation status in the latest review round, but four other applications have been put on hold.

The second round of approvals was announced this morning by regulator Monitor, and backed by the Health Minister John Hutton.

But, health union UNISON reacted angrily to the news, claiming it was: "Dangerous, deceitful and down right premature."

The successful Trusts are: Barnsley District General Hospitals NHS Trust, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Gateshead Health NHS Trust, Harrogate Healthcare NHS Trust and South Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust.

Southend and West Suffolk NHS Trusts have had their applications deferred and Nottingham City and Burton withdrew their applications voluntarily.

Mr Hutton said that he was delighted by the decision, saying: "Today's announcement marks a further step on the road to decentralisation, freeing up more of the NHS from day-to-day Whitehall control and giving local patients more power to influence local services."

He added that: "NHS Foundation Trusts are making clear improvements in quality of care for their patients. The existing 20 NHS Foundation Trusts are already reporting a significant increase in the level of interest, enthusiasm and engagement with their local communities, and are making a real difference in encouraging local innovation in how services are delivered. The new status has in effect given NHS Foundation Trusts the freedom to think differently, and they have been using their new capital and management freedoms to respond much more quickly to the needs of their patients."

The next batch of authorisations is expected on April 1st.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON was less enthusiastic, saying: "The Government bulldozed Foundation Hospitals through parliament by the skin of its teeth, promising MP's a full review before any more hospitals would be granted Foundation status. The review has not been completed making today's announcement dangerous, deceitful and down right premature.

"I am convinced that Foundation Hospitals will create a two-tier health service."

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