Royal Surrey Foundation Trust Application signed off by new Health Secretary

The Royal Surrey County Hospital has moved one step closer to achieving Foundation Trust status.  On Friday 12^th June the Department of Health announced that the new Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, has signed off the Trust's application.

The Royal Surrey will soon begin a three month scrutiny period by the independent Foundation Trust regulator Monitor.

Royal Surrey Chief Executive Nick Moberly said:

"This is really excellent news for everyone at the Royal Surrey and our local community.   The route to Foundation Trust status is a long journey but this news means we are now in the final stages of the application process.  We are hoping to be granted Foundation Trust status this autumn.

"Huge thanks must go to all of our staff, patients and the local community who have supported our application and everyone who has joined us as members.  I must also thank the Strategic Health Authority NHS South East Coast and NHS Surrey who have backed us all the way.

"We now have a very busy 12 week period of scrutiny by Monitor which will involve a great number of our staff."

During the scrutiny period Monitor will be analysing every aspect of the hospital to ensure the Trust is in a strong enough position, both clinically and financially, to be granted Foundation Trust status.   

The elections to the Council of Governors will also be held over the next few months. The Governors will work with the Royal Surrey Board of Directors to help plan the future of the hospital and make sure we are providing the best services for the community we serve.  The extra independence that comes with being a Foundation Trust will mean that we can tailor our services closer to the needs of our community by working with the Council of Governors and members.

The Royal Surrey's consultation response document, which contains full details of the hospital's Foundation Trust activities during the public consultation period, is published on-line; click here

For further information please visit: www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/Foundation-Trust or call 01483 408337 or 01483 571122 ext 6554.