NHS charity trustees ''must protect independence''
Date posted: 04 Sep 2009
Trustees of NHS charities should try and maintain their independence, the Charity Commission suggests, by making sure that their funds are kept separate from the finances of other NHS bodies.
According to the regulator, there may be some confusion within the NHS about whether or not charity trustees should merge their funds with the annual accounts of separate NHS organisations.
Rosie Chapman, the Charity Commission's director of policy and effectiveness, believes it is vital NHS charities retain their independence to avoid discrepancies.
Trustees of NHS charities should try and maintain their independence, the Charity Commission suggests, by making sure that their funds are kept separate from the finances of other NHS bodies.
According to the regulator, there may be some confusion within the NHS about whether or not charity trustees should merge their funds with the annual accounts of separate NHS organisations.
Rosie Chapman, the Charity Commission''s director of policy and effectiveness, believes it is vital NHS charities retain their independence to avoid discrepancies.
She commented: "Independence is one of the defining characteristics of being a charity so it is simply not appropriate for charitable funds to be consolidated with those of a public body."
The commission is now set to publish new guidance, outlining the measures NHS charity trustees should take to ensure their charities remain as independent as possible.
In England and Wales, the Association of NHS Charities currently works with trustees to promote good standards of practice among its members.
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