Monitor, the regulator of NHS Services in England, has granted NHS Foundation Trust status to Oxford University Hospitals.
At a Board meeting on 30 September 2015, Monitor agreed that Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust should exist from today, 1 October 2015.
This decision comes after the Care Quality Commission gave OUH an overall rating of ‘Good’ in May 2014, and after scrutiny of the Trust’s quality, finances, service delivery and governance arrangements by the NHS Trust Development Authority and Monitor.
Sir Jonathan Michael, Chief Executive of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The work we have done to become a foundation trust has involved a journey of improvement that needed to happen anyway. Foundation trust status has been a stimulus to us to pursue this improvement but was not a destination in itself.
“Becoming a Foundation Trust is recognition of the work we have done to improve the quality and efficiency of our services for patients and the capability we have to continue these improvements. It also provides more local accountability through our membership and Council of Governors.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic staff for their continued commitment to delivering high quality healthcare for all our patients. We recognise that becoming a foundation trust does not in itself solve the challenges facing us or the NHS nationwide. We will continue to focus on sustaining delivering safe and high quality care, living within our means and meeting national standards in a very difficult financial climate.”
Dame Fiona Caldicott, Chairman of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
“Being a Foundation Trust will enable us to continue to improve our services by increasing the involvement of patients, staff and the local communities that we serve through our membership. It means that our Council of Governors will now play an important role in holding the Board of Directors to account, appointing Non-executive Directors and contributing to the strategic direction of the Trust.
“This is a most exciting event for the Trust and a vote of confidence in the achievements and capability of our staff.”