Mental Health Trust - Foundation Trust Consultation

Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust is applying for Foundation Trust status, this is the first step towards privatisation. It means that the trust will no longer be accountable to the Department of Health, allows the Trust to borrow money from the private sector and to vary nationally approved wages for staff. Significantly, especially in the light of the current 'difficulties' of the private social care provider Southern Cross, if the Trust runs into financial trouble it will not be bailed out by the government (unlike the banks!), similarly if the Trust returns a 'profit' this is kept and not returned to NHS for other NHS trusts who might be in financial difficulty.

The spin says that Foundation Trusts will improve local accountability through Members and a Council of Members but the council has no real teeth with respect to the financial activities and the decisions of the Board of Directors, and of course is no substitute for Public accountability for a Public service. When the Trust last applied for foundation status it failed to get enough support from the community and resorted to offering staff a £5 'incentive' to sign up members.

UNISON produced a useful summary of the reasons why we should oppose Foundation Trusts, you can find it here.

There is a public meeting about the consultation next week, come along and tell them what you think about privatising the NHS.

Haringey – Tuesday 14 June at 7.30pm 
Main Hall, Triangle Centre
91-93 St Ann’s Road
Tottenham, London N15 6NU