What follows councils of governors? A session for governors

Following the publication of the 10-year health plan in 2025, the Health Bill currently proceeding through Parliament proposes removing the statutory requirement for foundation trusts to have councils of governors. 

In their place, the government intends that Foundation Trusts (FTs) introduce ‘more dynamic arrangements to take account of patient, staff and stakeholder insight’. While the abolition of councils of governors is dependent on the will of Parliament, it is important to consider what these new arrangements for local engagement might look like now, in advance of royal assent (likely spring 2027).  

Consequently, we are hosting – with policy and governance leads from NHS England – several online roundtables to elicit views from FT Chairs, non-executive directors, governance leads, governors and other interested parties in August. 

Key takeaways

• Consider where governors add value and what has worked well locally 
• Explore the role that geographies and demographics play in effective and inclusive engagement approaches; and 
• Examine what patients, staff, communities and FTs will need from any new arrangements.  

We will test these ideas with others with expertise and experience in this space – including NHS trusts. This will inform views of what good might look like in the future state.  

We will publish our findings in the autumn, setting out examples of effective practice and proposed principles to guide future engagement models. This can serve as advice for trusts and local stakeholders as they develop new approaches.

There are 100 places for this event. We will confirm places a week ahead of the event and will select a diverse range of participants from across the sector.   

If you are unable to attend but have examples of good practice in local engagement and involvement and/or local accountability mechanisms either at your FT or elsewhere – please let us know. 

An invitation to a separate event has been sent to FT chairs and NEDs, and to FT corporate governance leads. They have been asked to forward this invitation to you.