NHS modernisation: listening exercise
Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley held a roundtable meeting with representatives from the Foundation Trust Network as part of the listening exercise on NHS modernisation. External site: [Four themes of the listening exercise - Department of Health website](http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/pausing-listening-reflecting-improving/)
One of the key themes of the discussion was how to improve accountability within the NHS. Foundation Trusts are part of the NHS but independent from central government. This means they are directly accountable to their patients, staff and the local community.
The Government wants all NHS Trusts to become Foundation Trusts by 2014.
The listening exercise, which was launched on 6 April, is taking place over a two-month period to hear the public’s views on NHS modernisation.
David Cameron said the exercise is an opportunity to “pause, listen, reflect and improve on our proposals” and a genuine chance to make a difference.
The NHS Future Forum, which was announced as part of the listening exercise, is also meeting for the first time today to begin discussing the four themes to the listening exercise and share the questions and opinions that they have already heard.
During the next six weeks members of the Forum, which includes patient representatives, doctors, nurses and leading health experts, will be listening to what people have to say about all aspects of modernisation. At the end of this period they will produce an independent report with recommendations for changes to the Health and Social Care Bill.