Foundation Trust of the Year

NHS Foundation Trusts (FTs) are a key part of the NHS reform programme. Freedoms granted with FT status allow organisations autonomy in the improvement of services. With stronger connections to their local communities FTs can better shape their healthcare services around local needs and priorities. This first HFMA Foundation Trust of the Year Award, in partnership with Monitor, will be awarded to an organisation who in the view of the judges contributes most to the principles inherent in Foundation trust status.

Further detail on this Award can be found in HFMA’s 2007 Awards brochure.

Winner: South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

This award went to South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Judges were impressed by the trust’s integration of psychiatric and learning disabilities services previously run by local PCTs, bringing in 1,200 staff under TUPE rules and transferring £43m of fixed assets.

Jayne Deaville, director of finance and performance, said: ‘This is a recognition of all the hard work the organisation has put into making services better for patients.’

She paid tribute to the other shortlisted trusts – Heart of England and Queen Victoria Hospital. ‘This has been achieved against stiff competition elsewhere in the NHS.’