§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards are in place to prevent foundation trust boards of governors being taken over by special interest groups. [154011]
§ Mr. HuttonAll National Health Service foundation trusts are required to have a majority of governors elected by members of the public and patient constituencies. The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 requires all NHS foundation trusts to take steps to ensure that the membership is representative of those eligible to be members. The democratic process is designed to secure a balance of interests on the board of governors. In addition, NHS
£ per head 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 East Riding and Hull Health Authority 624.72 722 28 787.13 863.59 n/a North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority
n/a n/a n/a n/a 943.10 England 659.76 763 79 825.38 926.13 991.07 Notes
1.The total amount of central Government funds spent on health cannot be analysed by health authority area. Expenditure per capita is calculated on health authority areas from the expenditure reported in health authorities and related primary care trusts.
1126Wfoundation trusts may include provisions in their constitution, and in particular the provisions relating to elections to the board of governors, designed to prevent the board from becoming dominated by a single issue group. The Independent Regulator will want to be satisfied that the provisions proposed by the applicant trust meet the statutory requirements before granting an authorisation.