An NHS Foundation Trust, or commonly called a foundation hospital, is a public benefit corporation which is authorised to provide goods and services for the purposes of the National Health Service in England under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. The first 10 such Trusts were approved on 1 April 2004, and another 10 were approved on 1 July 2004. They are approved and regulated by the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts.

See also

• NHS Trust

External link

• Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030043.htm) (2003 Chapter 43)
• Department of Health information on NHS Foundation Trusts (http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/SecondaryCare/NHSFoundationTrust/fs/en)
• Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts (http://www.regulator-nhsft.gov.uk/) (official site)
• Public register of NHS Foundation Trusts (http://www.regulator-nhsft.gov.uk/register1.php)