Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she will provide the a) timeline and b) guidance on prospective replacement mechanisms for the scheduled dissolution of Councils of Governors.

As the Hon. Member knows, the Health Bill proposes removing the statutory requirement for National Health Service foundation trusts to have both councils of governors and members. That is not a judgement on the performance of the individuals currently engaged in those roles, and nor is it intended to weaken patient community engagement. It is simply an attempt to free-up foundation trusts to engage with patients, carers and staff in ways that better reflect their own local circumstances and structure, rather than being obliged under all circumstances to follow the ‘one size fits all’ governor model.

The timing of the dissolution of NHS foundation trusts’ Councils of Governors will be dependent on the will of Parliament and an agreed commencement date.