Hospital defends foundation bid

The hospital is known as a centre for specialist surgery

Managers at a hospital which is bidding for foundation status have defended the move after the system was criticised.

The Queen Victoria, in East Grinstead, East Sussex, can apply to become a foundation hospital after the government awarded it three stars for performance.

Every acute unit or specialist trust is graded according to criteria such as A&E waits, financial management, cleanliness and the numbers of patients waiting longer than standard times for inpatient and outpatient procedures.

But Jan Bergman, chief executive of the Queen Victoria NHS Trust, said their aim was to "challenge the best in the world in the delivery of health care".

Managers have denied the new status would create a two-tier system and claim the whole region will benefit.

Patients will be involved in decisions and very much involved on the Board of Governors Jan Bergman

But critics say foundation trusts will lead to "increased inequality and competition" in the NHS.

Earlier this month, peers voted against foundation hospitals.

Mr Bergman said patients would benefit from the new status, which allows managers greater freedom including increased financial independence.

"Patients will be involved in decisions and very much involved on the Board of Governors.

"There will also be a transparency and an openness, because foundation hospitals are very much simplified in terms of structure."

The specialist burns unit could be expanded under the scheme.

A vote is expected in the Commons on Wednesday, which, if approved, could seen the Queen Victoria becoming a foundation hospital by April next year.