This in from the IW NHS in their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has again emphasised its commitment to include the public and our partners in the future of the organisation.
At Wednesday’s Trust Board meeting (2 March), the Board agreed to continue the development of our public membership within the current organisational form, as an NHS Trust. It recognised the importance of the public voice in the development of its services.
Foundation Trust Plans scrapped
This decision was made as the Board agreed to close down its programme to become a Foundation Trust.
The Trust will continue to strive for the highest possible quality of care, whilst acknowledging that this cannot be achieved without the support of our partner organisations including the community, the Isle of Wight Council, Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, voluntary, charitable and independent sectors.
The continued interest and valuable input from our 5,400 public members was also recognised by the Trust Board, and the public membership will be developed in conjunction with the Trust’s partners.
Background
The Trust began its aspiration to become a Foundation Trust in 2012; the requirement for NHS Trusts to become Foundation Trusts within a specified timescale was dropped by the previous Coalition Government.
Some NHS Trusts have found it challenging to achieve the necessary criteria.
Today there are over 150 Foundation Trusts, but around 90 have still not achieved the status and the vast majority are unlikely to achieve this in their current form.
My Life a Full Life programme
The Trust Board also acknowledged, at its meeting, that the continued pursuit of Foundation Trust status does not lend itself to the integration of services currently being pursued with its partner organisations under the My Life a Full Life programme.
Karen Baker, Chief Executive, said:
“Whilst the Trust Board has taken the decision to close our Foundation Trust programme, it is important to stress that we will continue to make our own decisions under our plans to work more closely with other organisations. Much has changed on the political and healthcare landscape since we first began our Foundation Trust journey.
“We have been given a very big opportunity to improve the Island’s health and social care services with our partners through the My Life a Full Life programme and it’s really important that we continue to keep our focus clearly on this important priority.”
Programme contributed to improvements
Mark Price, Company Secretary, said:
“The development programme to achieve Foundation Trust status has contributed many improvements to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust over the last three years.
“The most successful part of the programme has been the recruitment and involvement of our public membership. I’d like to thank our current members for their continued commitment and interest in the Trust and the decision by Trust Board today strengthens their ability to have a say in even more aspects of their care.
“We will continue encouraging Island residents to get involved as members and are very grateful for their enthusiastic input to the Trust.”
The Trust will write to public members in due course explaining more about the future growth of the membership scheme and exciting opportunities to broaden their involvement, should they wish to.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Auntie P
