NHS Foundation Trust - Equivalent Foundation Trusts (eFT)

Equivalent Foundation Trusts (eFT)

Formerly referred to as Foundation Trust equivalent (FTe), this designation applies only to trusts providing high secure psychiatric services. There are just three: Nottinghamshire Healthcare, West London Mental Health NHS Trust and Merseycare. Nottinghamshire Healthcare gained Foundation Trust standard on 2 November 2010. The other two trusts are in the assessment process.

These trusts abide by the same Department of Health definition for a Foundation Trust but there are important differences: the Secretary of State for Health maintains a direct line of communication and accountability with them through their appropriate SHA. This requirement is needed because the Secretary has the responsibility to provide healthcare to patients who have been detained under the Mental Health Act, and have been judged to pose a grave and immediate danger to the public.

Unlike full Foundation Trusts, equivalent Foundation Trust organisations have a developing role: Governors have no statutory role. The Board of Directors have no statutory duty towards the governors. The governors cannot, without the Board of Directors' permission, have any control over the direction of the FT. The governors cannot appoint or remove trust auditors. The chair and directors are not appointed by their board of governors. Equivalent Foundation Trust organisations are still regulated by Monitor, and can retain surplus cash and can sell property and retain the cash from the sale. Their Strategic Health Authority monitors their forensic standards on behalf of The Secretary of State who will only use his or her direct channel in special circumstances.