HC Deb 17 October 2002 vol 390 c942W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the Foundation Trust Consultative Group. [74553]

Mr. Hutton

To develop the policy on National Health Service foundation trusts, the Department has sought a wide range of specialist advice. In particular, since December 2001 Chief Executive Officers from NHS trusts that have achieved three stars in the NHS performance ratings have been consulted on a range of issues. Key topics for discussion have been development of new freedoms and policy development on NHS foundation trusts. We expect these arrangements to continue.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there to award,(a) Northamptonshire and (b) Norfolk and Norwich NHS trusts foundation trust status. [74554]

Mr. Hutton

On 25 July, the Department publishedNHS Foundation Trusts: Eligibility Criteria and Timetable. Amongst other criteria, applicant National Health Service trusts need to hold and retain three star status in the NHS performance ratings. Northamptonshire and Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trusts will not be eligible to apply for NHS foundation trust status this autumn because they did not achieve three star status in the NHS performance ratings announced in July 2002.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of his departmental officials are involved in work on foundation status for NHS trusts. [74555]

Mr. Hutton

At present, there are nine Departmental staff working full time on National Health Service foundation trusts. However, as policy on NHS foundation trusts embraces a wide range of issues a number of other staff are also contributing to the policy development as and when required.