Secretary of State approves Guy’s and St Thomas' Foundation bid

The Trust is to apply to the new Independent Regulator for Foundation Trusts for authorisation to become an NHS Foundation Trust this Spring.

Welcoming the news, Chief Executive Dr Jonathan Michael said: "It is reassuring to know that the Secretary of State is happy with the performance of our Trust and the details of our application. We are excited at the prospect of becoming one of the first NHS Foundation Trusts as we believe that Foundation Trust status will give us a great opportunity to engage with patients, local people and our 8,000 staff, in new ways.

"People from all these groups can sign up to become members of 'Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust' and in this way help to shape the future of the Trust and the ways in which our services develop.

A Members Council will have 38 members, with patients and public members having a majority. There will be seven places for staff and some for local partner organisations.

Elections must be completed by the end of March if the hospitals are to become an NHS Foundation Trust as planned on 1 April.