Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003

4 Applications by NHS trusts

(1) An NHS trust may make an application to the regulator for authorisation to become an NHS foundation trust, if the application is supported by the Secretary of State.

(2) The application must—

(a) describe the goods and services which the NHS trust proposes should be provided by the NHS foundation trust, and

(b) be accompanied by a copy of the proposed constitution of the trust;

and must give any further information which the regulator requires the NHS trust to give.

(3) The applicant may modify the application with the agreement of the regulator at any time before authorisation is given under section 6.

(4) Once an NHS trust has made the application—

(a) the provisions of the proposed constitution which give effect to paragraphs 3 to 19 of Schedule 1 have effect, but only for the purpose of establishing the initial membership of the NHS foundation trust and of the board of governors, and the initial directors, and enabling the board of governors and board of directors to make preparations for the performance of their functions,

(b) the NHS trust may do anything (including the things mentioned in paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 to the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19) (general powers)) which appears to it to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of preparing it for NHS foundation trust status.