§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to an NHS trust is of developing an application for foundation trust status. [179592]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 21 June 2004]: The Department does not hold information as to the cost involved in developing an application for national health service foundation trust (NHSFT) status as costs will vary from trust to trust. The NHSFT model allows trusts to tailor their proposals to meet the individual circumstances of their hospital and community, within certain parameters set out in legislation. There will be, for example, significant local variation on costs surrounding the creation and maintenance of a membership organisation. The cost of each election will also vary depending on the size of the electorate and the level of documentation provided. It would appear that typical costs for the elections for the first NHSFTs have come out at a little over £1 per member. The costs of the governance arrangements will not necessarily be entirely additional as they will replicate some current activity that NHS trusts are already doing around informing the public, patients and staff about issues affecting the trust.
1548WThe Department has provided £250,000 direct financial support to each wave 1 applicant and, to date, £175,000 to wave 1A applicants to assist them in their preparations for their application and establishment as a NHSFT. It is for each trust to determine how this resource is best spent.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost has been of setting up a foundation trust. [179283]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department does not hold information as to the cost involved in developing an application for national health service foundation trust (NHSFT) status as costs will vary from trust to trust. The NHSFT model allows trusts to tailor their proposals to meet the individual circumstances of their hospital and community, within certain parameters set out in legislation. There will be, for example, significant local variation on costs surrounding the creation and maintenance of a membership organisation. The cost of each election will also vary depending on the size of the electorate and the level of documentation provided. It would appear that typical costs for the elections for the first NHSFTs have come out at a little over £1 per member. The costs of the governance arrangements will not necessarily be entirely additional as they will replicate some current activity that NHS trusts are already doing around informing the public, patients and staff about issues affecting the trust.
The Department has provided £250,000 direct financial support to each wave 1 applicant and, to date, £175,000 to wave 1A applicants to assist them in their preparations for their application and establishment as a NHSFT. It is for each trust to determine how this resource is best spent.