Foundation Trusts (Hansard, 16 January 2003)

§ Helen Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how frequently an NHS foundation trust will be required to review its constitution. [91106]

§ Mr. Hutton
Subject to legislation, the constitution of a national health service foundation trust will be set on establishment. There will be no requirement on NHS foundation trusts to review the constitution.

§ Helen Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how representatives from the employee membership will be elected to the board of governors of a foundation trust; whether there will be provision for different grades of staff to be represented; and what role staff trade unions will play in the process. [91107]

§ Mr. Hutton
It will be up to national health service foundation trusts, and NHS foundation trust applicants, to arrange elections to suite local circumstances and ensure a proper balance on the Board of Governors as set out in paragraphs 2.25–2.28 of "A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts".

§ Helen Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the possibility of all employees of a foundation trust being given automatic membership of the trust; and for what reasons he has decided that employees must register for membership. [91108]

§ Mr. Hutton
The Department has not received any representations on this issue. Subject to legislation, all employees, defined as people who have a permanent contract, or a fixed term contract longer than 12 months, will be eligible to become members if they choose as set out in paragraphs 2.6–2.10 of "A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts". It will be up to individual national health service foundation trusts to decide whether they want staff membership to be automatic.

§ Helen Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether an employee of a foundation trust who is a registered member of the trust will be able to retain membership rights after leaving the trust's employment. [91109]

§ Mr. Hutton
Subject to legislation, membership will be open to employees after leaving the national health service foundation trust's employment if they meet the eligibility criteria set by the NHS foundation trust in line with paragraphs 2.6–2.9 of "A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts".