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Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts has recently confirmed that Sandwell Mental Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust was authorised from 1 February 2009.

The announcement means there are now 114 NHS foundation trusts in total, of which 32 are mental health NHS foundation trusts.

NHS foundation trusts benefit from a variety of new freedoms:

• they are free from central government control and are able to decide how to improve their services;
• they can retain any surpluses they generate to invest in new services, and can borrow money to support these investments; and
• they are accountable to their local communities; local people can become members and governors.

These freedoms mean NHS foundation trusts can better shape their healthcare services around local needs and priorities and the requirements of their primary care trusts.

Notes to editors

1. Facts and figures about NHS foundation trusts:

• NHS foundation trusts have now recruited over 1.2 million members
• NHS foundation trusts now employ over 375,000 staff
• 48.5% of acute trusts are now NHS foundation trusts
• 57% of mental health trusts are now NHS foundation trusts
• The first wave of acute NHS foundation trusts were authorised by Monitor on 1 April 2004
• The first wave of mental health NHS foundation trusts were authorised on 1 May 2006

2. For media enquiries please contact Michael Moruzzi 020 7340 2438.
3. Monitor authorises and regulates NHS foundation trusts ensuring they are well-managed and financially viable in order to deliver high quality healthcare for patients.
4. Monitor was established in January 2004. It is independent of government and accountable to Parliament. Monitor’s functions and powers are set out in the National Health Service Act 2006.