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What are foundation trusts

North East Ambulance Service became a Foundation Trust on 1st November 2011. The terms of authorisation can be found here

NHS Foundation Trusts are a new type of NHS organisation which are run locally, and are accountable to local people and staff rather than to central government.

The first foundation trusts were authorised in 2004, although ambulance services could only start to apply from April 2009.

People within the local community, staff and partner organisations can become members of the trust, and also have a greater say in how services are delivered and developed to meet the needs of local people.

Members can be elected to a Council of Governors, where they will represent the interests of local communities, patients, staff and partner organisations

All foundation trusts are still part of the NHS and continue to provide free care to everyone. They also have to meet national standards and targets, and are regularly inspected.

An independent regulator, Monitor , oversees all foundation trusts and checks that they remain compliant with the terms under which they are authorised to operate.