What’s next and further reading

We held two sessions outlining the proposals and discussing their implications, one for FT staff on 21 January, and one for governors on 3 March. A summary of the feedback from our initial focus groups with governors and staff is included as Appendix 1. 

While we believe that FTs and their governors need to be talking to each other primarily, we have been asked to consider running facilitated sessions for governors and staff, either on a trust-by-trust basis or by convening wider groups, for example one per region.  

If you would be interested in either of these options, which we would need to charge for, please contact us at governors@nhsproviders.org. 

We will continue to share information about the progress of the NHS Bill and we continue to engage with DHSC’s team who are drafting the Bill. Our influencing has been focused on sustaining appropriate local accountability and good governance in all trusts. We are keen that powers are appropriately devolved to local systems and organisations, and that the principles of good governance that the council model supported are enabled in what follows, so that boards benefit from the type of challenge and triangulation opportunities afforded by councils of governors, and so local populations continue to have a say in their health services and a voice influencing their own care. 

Further reading

10-Year Health Plan for England – see particularly chapter 5 ‘A devolved and diverse NHS: A new operating model’ and page 83 (of the PDF version) where the announcement about Councils of Governors was made. 

Your statutory duties: A reference guide and Addendum to your statutory duties – reference guide for NHS foundation trust governors – NHS guidance on the role and responsibilities of Councils of Governors.

Schedule 7 of the NHS Act 2006 (as amended) sets out the statutory basis for councils of governors’ functions and powers. 

Reinventing FTs and creating IHOs: autonomy, accountability and flexibility – our briefing on the proposals in chapter 5 of the 10-Year Health Plan, which includes a section on Councils of Governors’ role in FT governance and public accountability. 

Working in Partnership with People and Communities (NHSE, 2022).