PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN FOUNDATION TRUSTS

  The Commission will be considering the above at its first Board Meeting in March 2003.

  However, we are aware that the Select Committee is currently considering the matter, on which the Commissioners have very strong views. It is the unanimous view of the Board that the proposal to exempt Foundation Trust Hospitals from the requirement to have Patient and Public Involvement Forums, represents a serious threat to the integrity of the new system for involving the public which the Commission is charged with establishing.

  It has therefore been agreed to advise the Select Committee of the Commission's views on this issue, and I now enclose a Summary Position paper for the Select Committee's consideration. 20 This will form the basis of a formal report to the Commission's first Board Meeting.

  I hope that this is helpful to the Select Committee.

28 February 2003

20 See Appendix 15.