The Role of Governors in
NHS Foundation Trusts
Neil Ashford, Karen O’Sullivan,
Gillian Oaker and Duncan Double;
Staff Governors, Norfolk & Waveney
Mental Health NHS Trust
NHS Foundation Trusts
Public institututions
NHS Foundation Trusts
Public institututions
But not subject to
direction by Secretary
of State
NHS Foundation Trusts
Public institututions
But not subject to
direction by Secretary
of State or Department
of Health performance
management
requirements
NHS Foundation Trusts
Set own strategy within
context of contracts with
purchasers, especially
primary care trusts
NHS Foundation Trusts
Set own strategy within
context of contracts with
purchasers, especially
primary care trusts
Can borrow
commercially, retain
surpluses (but can also
become insolvent) and
invest to serve local
needs
NHS Foundation Trusts
Authorised and
monitored by Monitor -
Independent Regulator
of NHS Foundation
Trusts
NHS Foundation Trusts
Authorised and
monitored by Monitor -
Independent Regulator
of NHS Foundation
Trusts
Accountable to local
people, who can
become members and
governors
Board of Governors
Elected governors
constituencies:
Board of Governors
Elected governors
constituencies:
Public
Board of Governors
Elected governors
constituencies:
Public
Users and carers
Board of Governors
Elected governors
constituencies:
Public
Users and carers
Staff
Board of Governors
Elected governors
constituencies:
Public
Users and carers
Staff
Appointed governors –
partner organisations
Board of Governors
Elected governors
constituencies:
Public
Users and carers
Staff
Appointed governors –
partner organisations
Chair is also chair of
Board of Directors
Governors’ statutory roles
These include
appointing, removing
and deciding the terms
of office of the chair and
other non-executive
directors, and approving
the appointment of the
chief executive;
Governors’ statutory roles
These include
appointing, removing
and deciding the terms
of office of the chair and
other non-executive
directors, and approving
the appointment of the
chief executive;
appointing and
removing the auditor
Governors’ statutory roles
These include
reviewing the annual
accounts, auditor’s
report and annual report
at a general meeting;
Governors’ statutory roles
These include
reviewing the annual
accounts, auditor’s
report and annual report
at a general meeting;
expressing a view on
the board’s forward
plans for the NHS
foundation trust.
Representing the constituency
Boards of governors are
expected to focus on
ensuring NHS
foundation trusts
respond to the needs
and preferences of
stakeholders, especially
local communities