focus on health
Building on NHS Foundations
Salix Finance sets up funds in the part of the
NHS structure where loans can be accepted
How the Department of Health re-structures the National Health Service in its periodic
reviews is driven by the need to maximise efficiency in this massive organisation.
Institutional formats such as Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities
have been put in place - or modified - during more recent rounds of changes to
improve the operational performance of the largest employer in Europe.
The global objective has been pursued in part veneer might be, an NHS Foundation Trust
by giving key elements of the health service a remains an integral part of that national
semi-autonomous status without losing sight healthcare delivery process. Where a founda-
of the political foundations of the NHS. tion trust differs from the rest of the NHS hospital
Take the example of the Department of network has been the focus of considerable
Health’s description of an NHS Foundation attention since the concept was established in
Trust, the heavily ring-fenced status to which 2003.
most NHS hospitals aspire and which give As the quality of patient care and support is
these publicly managed, but not-for-profit not at issue, clear blue water is drawn on the
businesses a significant degree of financial commercial front. Amongst the portfolio of
autonomy. privileges that come with the enhanced sta-
“NHS foundation trusts are firmly part of the tus, foundation hospitals enter directly into
NHS and subject to NHS standards, perform- commercial agreements to purchase services
ance ratings and systems of inspection. Their and supplies in their own name, rather than
primary purpose is to provide NHS care to NHS under the aegis of an NHS contract.
patients according to NHS quality standards And, as corporate entities, these institutions
and principles.” can borrow money to fund capital projects and
Drilling down into that description, the key other types of expenditure for which they can
word is ‘firmly’, one heavy with the political make a commercial case.
baggage of an NHS that celebrated its 60
th
What might seem like an academic distinc-
anniversary in 2008. The author was making it tion can be applied to the benefit of founda-
very clear that, however thick its commercial tion hospital trusts in their pursuit of climate
Is it possible for investments as small as £500 from a Salix-supported loan fund to make a significant
difference to the carbon reduction capabilities of Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
The Informed Executive
31
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