Foundation Trusts (Governorship Elections) (Hansard, 1 April 2004)

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that the membership is announced in advance of any foundation trust governorship election; and what guidance he is providing to trusts on this matter. [R][164033]

§ Mr. Hutton
The Public Benefit Corporation (Register of Members) Regulations 2004 were laid in Parliament on 5 March 2004. Subject to Parliamentary approval, they come into force on 1 April 2004 and set out how trusts should maintain registers of members once they have been authorised by the regulator. Registers are to be made public other than in the circumstances set out in the Regulations. The obligation to keep a public register of members only arises once a National health service trust receives an authorisation from the independent regulator to be a NHS foundation

Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents ¹ (UPEs) per 100,000 patients for England, South Tyneside PCG/PCT, Tyne and Wear and the North East

Number (headcount) North East 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

England 53 54 54 54 54 54 55

South Tyneside PCG n/a n/a 51 51 n/a n/a n/a

South Tyneside PCT — — — — 52 52 52

Tyne and Wear² 53 53 54 55 57 59 61

North East 53 53 54 55 56 57 59

n/a = not available.

¹ Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs) includes GMS Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

² The first PCTs were established in 2001, data previous to this was collected by health authorities figures for South Tyneside PCG appear comparable to South Tyneside PCT.

Sources:
Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
1666W
trust. Guidance on interpretation of the Regulations has been provided to all NHS trusts applying for NHS foundation trust status.

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for forthcoming elections to the boards of governors of foundation trusts. [R][164034]

§ Mr. Hutton
The timetable for elections to the board of governors is a matter for each applicant national health service trust. The Department has issued model rules and guidance and these are available in the Library. The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 provides for the commencement of elections once a trust has made an application to the regulator. The independent regulator is responsible for ensuring that a NHS foundation trust's constitution, including its provisions for carrying out elections, is in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents ¹ (UPEs) per 100,000 patients for England, South Tyneside PCG/PCT, Tyne and Wear and the North East
Number (headcount) North East	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
England	53	54	54	54	54	54	55
South Tyneside PCG	n/a	n/a	51	51	n/a	n/a	n/a
South Tyneside PCT	—	—	—	—	52	52	52
Tyne and Wear²	53	53	54	55	57	59	61
North East	53	53	54	55	56	57	59
n/a = not available.
¹ Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs) includes GMS Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
² The first PCTs were established in 2001, data previous to this was collected by health authorities figures for South Tyneside PCG appear comparable to South Tyneside PCT.