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Part 2E+WHealth service bodies

Chapter 5E+WNHS foundation trusts

AuthorisationE+W

33Applications by NHS trustsE+W

(1)An NHS trust may make an application to [F1NHS England] for authorisation to become an NHS foundation trust F2....

(2)The application must—

F3(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)be accompanied by a copy of the proposed constitution of the NHS foundation trust,

and must give any further information which [F1NHS England] requires the applicant to give.

(3)The applicant may modify the application with the agreement of [F1NHS England] at any time before authorisation is given under section 35.

(4)Once an NHS trust has made the application—

(a)the provisions of the proposed constitution which give effect to paragraphs 3 to 19 of Schedule 7 have effect, but only for the purpose of establishing the initial membership of the NHS foundation trust and of the [F4council of governors], and the initial directors, and enabling the [F4council of governors] and board of directors to make preparations for the performance of their functions,

(b)the NHS trust may do anything (including the things mentioned in paragraph 14 of Schedule 4) which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of preparing it for NHS foundation trust status.

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 33(1) omitted (1.7.2022) by virtue of Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 58(2), 186(6); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

F4Words in s. 33(4)(a) substituted (1.10.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 151(9)(a), 306(4); S.I. 2012/1831, art. 2(2)

F534Other applicationsE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

35Authorisation of NHS foundation trustsE+W

(1)[F6NHS England] may give an authorisation under this section—

(a)to an NHS trust which has applied under section 33, F7...

F7(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

if [F8the Secretary of State approves the authorisation and] [F9NHS England] is satisfied as to the following matters.

(2)The matters are that—

(a)the applicant's constitution will be in accordance with Schedule 7 and will otherwise be appropriate,

(b)the applicant has taken steps to secure that (taken as a whole) the actual membership of any public constituency, and (if there is one) of the patients' constituency, will be representative of those eligible for such membership,

(c)there will be a [F10council of governors], and a board of directors, constituted in accordance with the constitution,

(d)the steps necessary to prepare for NHS foundation trust status have been taken,

[F11(e)the applicant will be able to provide goods and services for the purposes of the health service in England,]

(f)any other requirements which [F12NHS England] considers appropriate are met.

(3)In deciding whether it is satisfied as to the matters referred to in subsection (2)(e), [F13NHS England] must consider (among other things)—

(a)any report or recommendation in respect of the applicant made by [F14the Care Quality Commission],

(b)the financial position of the applicant.

F15(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)[F16NHS England] must not give an authorisation unless it is satisfied that the applicant has sought the views about the application of the following—

F17(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)individuals who live in any area specified in the proposed constitution as the area for a public constituency,

(c)any local authority that would be authorised by the proposed constitution to appoint a member of the [F18council of governors],

(d)if the proposed constitution provides for a patients' constituency, individuals who would be able to apply to become members of that constituency,

(e)any prescribed persons.

(6)If regulations make provision about consultation, [F19NHS England] may not give an authorisation unless it is satisfied that the applicant has complied with the regulations.

F20(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F7S. 35(1)(b) and word omitted (1.7.2012) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 160(2), 306(4) (with s. 160(5)); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)

F10Words in s. 35(2)(c) substituted (1.10.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 151(9)(a), 306(4); S.I. 2012/1831, art. 2(2)

F18Words in s. 35(5)(c) substituted (1.10.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 151(9)(a), 306(4); S.I. 2012/1831, art. 2(2)

36Effect of authorisationE+W

(1)On an authorisation being given to a body corporate which is an NHS trust—

(a)it ceases to be an NHS trust and becomes an NHS foundation trust,

(b)the proposed constitution has effect, and

(c)any order under section 25(1) is revoked.

F21(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)The authorisation is conclusive evidence that the body in question is an NHS foundation trust.

(4)Subsections (1) to (3) do not affect the continuity of the body or of its property or liabilities (including its criminal liabilities).

(5)The validity of any act of an NHS foundation trust is not affected by any vacancy among the directors or by any defect in the appointment of any director.

(6)An NHS foundation trust must not be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown; and an NHS foundation trust's property must not be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.

Textual Amendments

37Amendments of constitutionE+W

[F22(1)]An NHS foundation trust may make amendments of its constitution [F23only if—

(a)more than half of the members of the council of governors of the trust voting approve the amendments, and

(b)more than half of the members of the board of directors of the trust voting approve the amendments.]

[F24(2)Amendments made under this section take effect as soon as the conditions in subsection (1)(a) and (b) are satisfied.

(3)But an amendment is of no effect in so far as the constitution would, as a result of the amendment, not accord with Schedule 7.

(4)The trust must inform [F25NHS England] of amendments made under this section; but [F26NHS England’s] functions do not include a power or duty to determine whether or not the constitution, as a result of the amendments, accords with Schedule 7.]

Textual Amendments

F22S. 37 renumbered as s. 37(1) (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 161(1), 306(4) (with s. 161(3)); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F23Words in s. 37(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 161(1), 306(4) (with s. 161(3)); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F2738Variation of authorisationE+W

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Textual Amendments

39Register of NHS foundation trustsE+W

(1)[F28NHS England] must continue to maintain a register of NHS foundation trusts.

(2)The register must contain in relation to each NHS foundation trust—

(a)a copy of the current constitution,

F29(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)a copy of the latest annual accounts and of any report of the auditor on them,

(d)a copy of the latest annual report,

F30(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F31(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F32(g)a copy of any order made under section 65D, 65J, 65KC, 65L or 65LA,

(h)a copy of any report laid under section 65D,

(i)a copy of any information published under section 65D,

(j)a copy of any draft report published under section 65F,

(k)a copy of any statement provided under section 65F,

(l)a copy of any notice published under section 65F, 65G, 65H, 65J, 65KA, 65KB, 65KC or 65KD,

(m)a copy of any statement published or provided under section 65G,

(n)a copy of any final report published under section 65I,

(o)a copy of any statement published under section 65J or 65KC,

(p)a copy of any information published under section 65M.]

(3)In relation to any time before an NHS foundation trust is first required to send an annual report to [F33NHS England], the register must contain a list of the persons who were first elected or appointed as—

(a)the members of the [F34council of governors],

(b)the directors.

(4)Members of the public may inspect the register at any reasonable time.

(5)Any person who requests it must be provided with a copy of, or extract from, any document contained in the register on payment of a reasonable charge.

Textual Amendments

F30S. 39(2)(e) omitted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 156(5), 306(1)(d)(4); S.I. 2013/671, art. 2(3)

F34Words in s. 39(3)(a) substituted (1.10.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 151(9)(a), 306(4); S.I. 2012/1831, art. 2(2)

[F3539APanel for advising governorsE+W

(1)[F36NHS England] may appoint a panel of persons to which a governor of an NHS foundation trust may refer a question as to whether the trust has failed or is failing—

(a)to act in accordance with its constitution, or

(b)to act in accordance with provision made by or under this Chapter.

(2)A governor may refer a question to the panel only if more than half of the members of the council of governors voting approve the referral.

(3)The panel—

(a)may regulate its own procedure, and

(b)may establish such procedures, and make such other arrangements, as it considers appropriate for the purpose of determining questions referred to it under this section.

(4)The panel may decide whether, or to what extent, to carry out an investigation on a question referred to it under this section.

(5)The panel may for that purpose, or for the purpose of carrying out such an investigation, request information or advice.

(6)Where the panel has carried out such an investigation, it must publish a report of its determination of the question referred to it.

(7)If a person refuses to comply with a request made under subsection (5), the report under subsection (6) may refer to the refusal.

(8)On any proceedings before a court or tribunal relating to a question referred to the panel under this section, the court may take the panel's report of its determination of the question into account.

(9)[F37NHS England]—

(a)must pay expenses properly incurred by the panel, and

(b)must make administrative support available to the panel.

(10)Regulations may make provision as to—

(a)eligibility for membership of the panel;

(b)the number of persons that may be appointed as members;

(c)the terms of appointment of members;

(d)circumstances in which a person ceases to be a member or may be suspended.]

Textual Amendments

F35S. 39A inserted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 162, 306(1)(d)(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)