West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today helped clear an obstacle from the path of community hospitals becoming Foundation Trusts after getting the green light for ‘volunteer’ board members. In a written question sent to Health Minister Simon Burns, Harriett asked whether community hospitals could use unpaid board members. In a recent discussion with NHS Worcestershire chief Paul Bates, the MP was told that the cost of paying a board was an obstacle preventing its community hospitals from becoming a Foundation Trust. The Department of Health regulations allow for unpaid board members and the latest statement allows for Worcestershire’s community hospitals to adopt this approach. Harriett said: “When I met Paul Bates, CEO of NHS Worcestershire last week, he explained that an objection to a stand-alone Trust was the cost of the Board. He told me that a separate board would cost £500,000 in salaries. “I am sure that there will be a wealth of very able people who will be willing to take on this challenge on behalf of the community. “I have today written to Paul Bates with the reply and I look forward to his response.” Last week, the Government released a white paper outlining proposed reform of the NHS including proposed structural reforms which will allow staff to focus on patients not bureaucracy. | Hansard