Annual Plan

An annual plan is required by Monitor (the Independent Regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts) and includes a statement of our service strategy and development intentions over the year. It also details the major risks to compliance with our authorisation as an NHS Foundation Trust and how we intend to address these risks.

Last year's plan, which has been fully implemented, outlined our intention to forge successful working partnerships with our local health economy and other stakeholders and partners.

Looking to the future, our annual plan for 2008/09 continues with the theme of understanding our local and regional market but also begins to address a revised strategy focusing on the Trust's development through to the next five years.

This strategy aims to build a culture of innovation and excellence in health and care through:

• improving the experience of patients
• improving patient care and safety
• ensuring clinical excellence and effectiveness
• valuing our staff and partners
• striving for innovation in all we do