§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to applicant NHS foundation trusts on who should be installed on the electoral register for the board of governors; and when it was issued. [153001]
§ Mr. HuttonSchedule 1, paragraph 3 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 sets out the eligibility requirements for membership of national health service foundation trusts. Anyone who is registered as a member of a particular constituency or class will be eligible to vote in elections for governors in that constituency or class. NHS foundation trusts must make provision in their constitution for the conduct of elections to the board of governors. Department of Health guidance to first wave applicants recommends the point at which the electoral register is closed for electoral purposes. This guidance was issued in January.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether political parties will be permitted to contest elections to the board of governors of NHS foundation trusts. [153002]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 provides that anyone who is registered as a member of a particular constituency or class will be eligible to be nominated to stand for election in that constituency or class. The legislation sets out a limited number of exclusions and trust constitutions may include other limited exclusions consistent with the legislation. national health service foundation trusts must make provision in their constitution for the conduct of elections to the board of governors. This may include provisions on the requirements for nominations, and the declaration of interests of nominated candidates. Departmental guidance to first wave applicants recommends that individuals nominated to stand for election as governors should be required to declare if they are members of a political party.