HC Deb 12 June 2002 vol 386 cc1318-9W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the right of local communities to establish or convert existing hospitals into foundation hospitals. [59094]

Mr. Hutton

The first wave of foundation hospitals will be selected from among the acute national health service trusts that achieve three-star ratings in July this year. Details of the application process and criteria which will be applied will be published in July. However, successful applicants will need to demonstrate among other things that they have the management capability and clinical support to make a success of NHS foundation trust status, and that they have the support of the local primary care trusts who commission services from them.