Lack of transparency in Foundation Trusts

Surrey's Health Scrutiny Committee has raised concerns about the transparency of Foundation Trusts who hold board of director's meetings in private.

A poll carried out by the Health Service Journal highlights that ‘less than a quarter of foundation trusts are holding their board of directors' meetings in public'.  Just seven of 30 foundation trusts questioned allowed the public to attend even a part of their directors' meetings. 

Foundation trusts were set up to enable greater accountability to local people.  Those foundation trusts that do hold board meetings in private are still bound by the Freedom of Information Act so the public still has access to minutes of meetings.  The Code of Governance for foundation trusts states "The board of directors should operate a code of conduct that builds on the values of the NHS foundation trust and reflect high standards of probity and responsibility. The board of directors should follow a policy of openness and transparency in its proceedings and decision making unless this conflicts with a need to protect the wider interests of the public or the NHS foundation trust (including commercial-in-confidence matters) and make clear how potential conflicts of interests are dealt with".   

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and Medway NHS Foundation Trust both hold their board of director's meeting in private in line with their constitutions.

What do you think about NHS Foundation Trusts holding their board of directors meeting in private?

Mike English
Posts: 4

Foundation Trust board meetings
Reply #7 on : Wed March 10, 2010, 20:30:57

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I fail to see any valid argument why FT Board meetings should be held in private. They are public bodies accountable for public services. Items of specific patient/staff and commercial confidentiality can be discussed in private session. How can the public have confidence in local health services if Board meetings are in secret.

Kevin Elks (Norm-UK)
Posts: 4

Lack of transparency in Foundation Trusts
Reply #6 on : Wed January 06, 2010, 10:53:34

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What is the view of the Kent County Council on this?
What is the views of local MP's?
What does this Government intend to do about the situation?

I intend to ask Mr Prosser MP for Dover what he intends to do to gain the accountability we were promised.

Kevin Elks (Norm-UK)
Posts: 4

Lack of transparency in Foundation Trusts
Reply #5 on : Wed January 06, 2010, 10:46:27

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It is an absolute disgrace that any meeting should be held behind closed doors unless it is in direct conflict with patient confidentiality. Even contractual matters of a commercial nature is of interest to those that pay for the service, they are the public.

If any contract, service, policy or other matter is to be discussed cannot be done so in full scrutiny of the public then it should not be entertained.

This secret society we have been building over the centuries whose only members are the elite is exactly why we are overpowered by corruption from national, to local government, big business to government quangos.

If we are not careful it may end up in widespread civil disobedience and bloodshed, we are on a path (the country as a whole) to some very dangerous times, the people can only tolerate so much disrespect.

Dr Nicholas Matcham
Posts: 4

Lack of transparency in Foundation Trusts
Reply #4 on : Thu July 02, 2009, 08:23:16

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There should be no subject relating to our health provision that needs to be discussed in private. It needs to made clear to any Director, Board member, employee of a Trust or PCT that they are public servants paid for by tax payers. They have no right to withhold any information whatsoever on health policy. Any lack of transparency needs to be challenged and I would urge LINk members to contact their Trusts and PCT and obtain guarantees that all meetings are transparent.

janine
Posts: 3

Comment from Dick Bushell
Reply #3 on : Tue June 30, 2009, 11:27:06

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All board of directors meetings should be held in public. Holding them in private is not the way to get the public on your side

janine
Posts: 3

Comment from Michael Barton
Reply #2 on : Thu June 25, 2009, 12:45:04

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michael barton
Posts:6 foundation trusts governors meetings
Reply #7 on : Wed May 13, 2009, 14:35:22
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Should be public with the usual condition, as with local authority meetings etc, that any "confidential" or "prejudicial" subject be discussed during a closed part of meeting.

janine
Posts: 3

Comment from Ray Harris (participant) via post
Reply #1 on : Thu June 18, 2009, 09:17:11

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Public Bodies should not hold their Board meetings in private. Have they got anything to hide? Full transparency and accountability should be the order of the day.

Hardly a day goes by at the moment where evidence to the contrary of openness is not illustrated by some ‘cock-up’, inefficiency, bad management and the like.

Hands on the table, everything above board I say.

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