NHS Foundation Trust - Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Family and friends can get involved
We are using the consultation period to recruit
as many public members as possible. Why not
encourage your friends and families, as well as
service users and carers, to register their interest
Ten top facts
about NHS
Foundation Trusts
1. The Secretary of State for Health has no
powers of direction over NHS Foundation
Trusts, but they remain firmly part of the NHS.
2. They exist to provide and develop healthcare
services for NHS patients in a way that is
consistent with NHS standards and principles
- free care, based on need, not ability to pay.
3. They have greater financial freedom and
flexibility than NHS trusts in the way they
manage their affairs.
4. In line with the NHS Plan, they give more
power and a greater voice to their local
communities and staff over the delivery and
development of local healthcare.
5. They are inspected by the Healthcare
Commission for compliance with healthcare
standards and targets in the same way as all
other NHS trusts.
6. They are also overseen by an independent
regulator called Monitor which ensures they
adhere to their ‘licence to operate’.
7. The Healthcare Commission has already found
that NHS Foundation Trusts are making good
progress in developing innovative approaches
to providing better quality healthcare services.
8. The first NHS Foundation Trusts were
authorised by Monitor in 2004. There are now
70 in operation.
9. The Government is committed to offering
all NHS Trusts the opportunity to apply for NHS
Foundation Trust status.
10. Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s application will
be submitted in November and if approved,
the NHS Foundation Trust could be established
by April 2008.
They can:
• Apply online at www.devonpartnership.nhs.uk
• Pick up a membership form – available
at Trust locations and send back by Freepost
• Request a membership application form from
PALS on 0800 0734071
• Email their details to pals@devonptnrs.nhs.uk
Involving service users, carers and others
Prior to the formal consultation period we have
actively involved service users, carers, and others
on our plans to become an NHS Foundation Trust,
through a number of regular meetings and briefings.
We are continuing to communicate through our
normal service user and carer networks and will be
attending a number of meetings to discuss our plans
further.
Service users, carers and members of the public
are being encouraged to become members and can
apply in the same way as family and friends.
How you can have your say
As well as discussions being held in local
team meetings, staff can also find out more
by attending either a public meeting, a staff
specific meeting or a staff open forum.
Public meetings
10th August 7.30pm The Cedars Hotel
Lodge Inn, Bickington Road,
Barnstaple, EX31 2HP
7th September 7.30pm The Livermead
House Hotel, Seafront,
Torquay, TQ2 6Q1
26th September 6.00pm The Best Western
Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road,
Tiverton, EX16 4DB
(This meeting will also include the Trust’s Annual General Meeting (AGM))
Staff specific meetings
17 August 2.00pm Riverside, Litchdon Street
Barnstaple, EX32 8ND
30 August 10.00am Butterpark, Brook Road
Ivybridge, PL21 0AX
11 September 10.00am Haytor Meeting Room,
Torbay Hospital
Staff open forum
13th August 2.00pm To be confirmed
For further information contact Janet Racibowski on
01392 208664 or Janet.Racibowski@devonptnrs.nhs.uk.
Devon Partnership NHS Trust - Delivering mental health and learning disability services for the NHS, Devon County Council and Torbay Council.
Partnership Progress - Editor: Sharon Berkhout, Corporate Communications Manager, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Wonford House Hospital,
Dryden Road, Exeter, EX2 5AF T: 01392 208700 F: 01392 208708 Email: Sharon.Berkhout@DevonPtnrs.nhs.uk www.devonpartnership.nhs.uk
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