§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts are developing, but have not yet submitted, preliminary applications for the establishment of NHS foundation trusts. [179593]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department has not yet invited preliminary applications for the next wave of national health service foundation trusts (NHSFTs). An independent review of NHSFTs is to be undertaken by the Healthcare Commission. We expect to make an announcement about the timing of the review and its terms of reference shortly, together with an announcement about the timing of the next cohort of NHSFT applications as part of wave two.
§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of preliminary applications for NHS foundation trust status have been successful in passing through to the preparatory phase. [179594]
§ Mr. HuttonOf the 51 eligible national health service acute and specialist trusts, 32 submitted preliminary applications for NHS foundation trust status in February 2003 as part of wave one. Of these, three trusts later chose to defer from wave one. In May 2003, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health, invited 29 trusts to begin their preparatory application for his approval later that year.
Of the 38 eligible NHS trusts, 32 submitted preliminary applications in September 2003 as part of wave 1A. In November 2003, all 32 trusts were invited to begin their preparatory application. The Department has not yet invited preliminary applications for wave two.