Strategic direction for the trust
As part of the trust's application to become a foundation trust, it was required to produce a five-year plan showing the trust's proposed vision based on local consultation, sound financial modelling (taking into account external factors e.g. practice-based commissioning and patient choice), business knowledge, and the actions taken to mitigate risks, while adhering to NHS principles to ensure success for the organisation and the community it serves. The integrated business plan had to demonstrate that effective staff involvement and commitment to service development had been secured. Below is the trust's five-year business plan produced as part of the application.
Annual objectives for the trust
The trust's annual objectives outline the key areas for the coming year, and are based on national and local priorities.
Annual plan for the trust
The trust is required to produce an Annual Plan, which replaces the need for a five-year plan. Good strategic planning and forecasting and management of risks has become an increasingly important part of an NHS foundation trust’s ability to continue to meet the terms of its authorisation.
Providing Monitor with this forward planning information is a requirement under the National Health Service Act 2006 (“the Act”) (schedule 7, paragraph 27(1)). The Act requires that the board take regard of the views of the board of governors when preparing the forward planning information (paragraph 27(3)). The Act also requires Monitor to publish NHS foundation trusts’ forward planning information on the public register on its website (section 39(2)(e)). These requirements are covered in paragraphs 45 and 52 of the Compliance Framework.
Quality Accounts
Investigations, outcomes and action plans
To see an updated version of the independent inquiry recommendations and action plan into the GH case, click here.