Published: 14/02/2002, Volume II2, No. 5792 Page 3

Trade union Unison is set to challenge health secretary Alan Milburn over his plans for foundation trusts at a seminar next week, as backbench Labour MPs press for details of the scheme.

The Department of Health is still unable to provide details of how foundation trusts would work in practice, but did confirm that Mr Milburn is looking at 'changing the governance structures' of foundation hospitals, to give local communities and staff stronger representation on boards.

But though the union sees increasing staff representation as 'a useful step', this has not dimmed its opposition to foundation trusts. General secretary Dave Prentis said: 'Foundation hospitals will be seen as the elite, and those not ranked worthy of that status will be stigmatised. We do not want 'oasis' hospitals with foundation status and privileges, laying waste to neighbouring hospitals by leeching resources and staff.'

Health minister John Hutton has confirmed that no trusts are expected to apply for foundation status in the current financial year and the number of applications next year would be 'dependent on the 2002 performance ratings'.

He also confirmed that 'consideration is being given to foundation trusts having the right to keep all the proceeds from the sale ofproperty'. But sharp variations in the benefit this could bring three-star trusts was revealed in answer to a question from Labour MP Gordon Prentice.

Figures cited by junior health minister Hazel Blears show that while King's College Hospitals trust has£21.4m worth of land and£108.8m worth of buildings and fittings, Calderdale Healthcare trust has just£3.4m of land and£22m of buildings and fittings.