Catching up on some late night reading (my contract requires me to work as many hours as needed to get the work done and makes no reference to SPA’s or flexible sessions) I could not help but marvel at press attention to foundation trusts.
A leaked memo from one foundation trust chairman to colleagues in Essex accuses Monitor - the foundation trust regulator - of being “unfair” and “intimidatory”.
In another story, the number of voters for the election of foundation trust governors has slumped. Then there was a report on how Dorset County Hospital appears to be yet another in an all too depressing, yet familiar, catalogue of trusts failing to meet the requirements of effectiveness, efficiency and economy.
Chairmen, chief executives turnover at an alarming rate; senior managers struggle to keep the foundation ship afloat, and medical staff find it difficult to reconcile the promised benefits of foundation status with swingeing cuts imposed in order for too many trusts to correct multi-million pound budget deficits.
So there was a lot to read, but not much news. We have heard it all before. I dozed off, thinking about the magic words of financial freedoms, accountability, value for money and public engagement.
I woke up realising that not much has changed since ordinary NHS trusts were introduced in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Even back then directly managed units were clamouring to achieve trust status, subject to an apparent show of consultation and public support.
I remembered one particular consultation exercise in the New Forest. Three separate trust applications led by three chairmen, chief executive designate and lots of senior bag carriers, of which I was one. There was one single person in the audience when the meeting was called to order - and he was the caretaker.
Not a lot has changed really. But, what would happen if the meeting was called to close A&E?
Tags: Foundation trusts
