Issue - meetings

To hear evidence from:

 Claire Panniker (Chief Executive) & Joe Harrison (Deputy Chief Executive)

Claire Panniker (Chief Executive) and Joe Harrison (Deputy Chief Executive) gave a presentation (attached) outlining the NMUH’s proposals for foundation Trust status and responded to questions raised by Members.  A summary of the main points to arise from this discussion is provided below.

Consultation process

·        It was noted that the NMUH is also due to consult with Overview & Scrutiny Committee at Enfield Council on the 27^th November 2007.  A copy of responses provided by NMUH to questions posed by Enfield OSC was circulated to members (attached).

·        In response to questions from the Panel, the NMUH indicated that it intended to distribute 25,000 copies of the consultation document within the Haringey and Enfield communities.  The expected response rate was difficult to predict.  Although the BEH Clinical Strategy consultation had a response rate of 2-3%, it was anticipated that the FT status consultation response would be lower as this did not directly concern changes to patient services.

·        NMUH stated that the consultation requirements for applications for Foundation Trust status concerned governance proposals for the Trust.  National policy objectives also state that all NHS Trusts are to become Foundation Trusts by end of 2008.  Consultation questions were thus focussed on those proposals for which the trust was able to respond.

Governance arrangements

·        The Panel were concerned as to how the views and opinions of the Membership would effectively be represented at Board level of the new Foundation Trust.  The Panel heard that the NMUH aims to recruit 5,000-10,000 people to the membership of the Foundation Trust from which representative Governors would be elected.  These 18 public Governors would form a majority on the Board of Governors, which itself would be able to appoint a majority of the Board of Directors (Chair & Non Execs).  The Board of Governors would be expected to engage and consult the Membership and the broader public.

·        In response to Panel questioning, the NMUH indicated that Board meetings would continue to be held in public once Foundation Trust status has been attained.

·        The Panel heard that the Board of Directors would have overall responsibility for day to day management, though the Board of Governors would have influence in the overall strategic direction of the Foundation Trust.  It is prescribed in the legislation that the Chairman of the Foundation Trust will chair both the Board of Directors and Board of Governors meetings.

Agreed: The NMUH was requested to provide an organisational chart of the new governance arrangements for the Foundation Trust (attached).

Partnerships

·        The Panel were concerned that Foundation Status might impact on partnership work in the local health economy as this would in effect take the NMUH out of NHS control.  The NMUH indicated that it would still forge close relationships with other health and social care providers, and noted that partner agencies would all be able to nominate Governors to the Board (of Governors).

Patient Experience

·        The Panel were keen to understand what impact Foundation Trust status would have on the experiences of patients using the NMUH.   The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5