NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has suggested that there could be more flexibility in what constitutes a foundation trust in future.
Mr Stevens raised the possibility that reforms to care models across different parts of the country could “expand the family of what can serve as a foundation trust”.
He also emphasised that the FT model was not “past its sell-by date”.
Speaking last week, Mr Stevens said: “In some parts of the country you can’t solve the issues that need solving just by looking at individual [provider] institutions.
“You have actually got to look at all of the services - primary care, community care, mental health services, social care - in the midst there as well.
“Whole system improvement is very important in different geographies and that may lead you to expand the family of what can serve as the foundation trust.”
Last month Mr Stevens revealed that national officials will create a “success regime” in which struggling areas are directed to move quickly into the new care models proposed in the NHS Five Year Forward View.
Responding to questions at the Healthcare Financial Management Associations annual chairs’ conference in London last week, Mr Stevens added: “I’m sure we are going to see hybrid types of organisational unit coming off the back of what is being discussed.
“But equally I would not just want to produce a cheap statement saying that foundation trusts as a model are past their sell-by date, because I don’t believe that is true.”
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