Letter from BLPT Non Exec Board Directors

This arrived in my inbox.

Dear Member,



I am writing to inform you of the unanimous decision taken by me, as Trust
Chair, and my Non-Executive Board Directors, to stand down from the
leadership of the Trust (within six to nine months), in order to allow the
organisation to create a new partnership with an NHS Foundation Trust.



It has been an honour and privilege to serve the people of Bedfordshire
and
Luton by providing mental health and learning disabilities services. We,
as
a board, have always placed our communities and their service needs at the
heart of everything we do.



The departure of Paul Mullin as Chief Executive in late 2008 concentrated
our minds on what we needed to do to move to the next stage of development
-
that of attaining Foundation Trust status. However, we do not believe that
with the current structure and size of the organisation, there is any
prospect of the organisation attaining Foundation Trust status in its own
right within the timescale required.



Having seen the energy, skills and enthusiasm in the leadership of other
Mental Health Foundation Trusts, we have come to the conclusion that
seeking
a partnership with one of these holds the best prospect for delivering
modern mental health and learning disabilities services for our local
communities. We are confident that this approach will ensure that Trust
services continue to improve and meet the needs of local people.



We have asked NHS East of England, the Strategic Health Authority, in
conjunction with the Primary Care Trust - NHS Bedfordshire (who are
responsible for commissioning services from the Trust) to carry out a
process which will see established NHS Foundation Trusts put forward
proposals for the future management of our Trust.



We are determined to ensure the best possible outcome for our service
users,
carers and staff and will continue as a board to oversee the handover to a
new Foundation Trust board.



We agreed as a board that it is critical for the shadow membership and
governors to continue to have a role in the new organisation as a means of
ensuring local involvement.



I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support so
far and I hope you will continue to support our local mental health and
learning disabilities agenda during this transitional period, to help
ensure
a smooth handover to a new leadership team.



With best wishes,





Alison Davis

Trust Chair

NB. I am not a Trust Member and I don't intend to become one....because I feel that I need to remain independant in my dealings with the Trust and in regards to care I seek from them for my father and myself.