Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (OBMH) is the first trust in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to have been approved to move forward their application to become a Foundation Trust (FT).

The Department of Health approved the application which will now be submitted to Monitor, an independent regulator, for approval. Monitor rigorously assesses applicants for NHS Foundation Trust status and makes sure they live up to their obligations as NHS foundation trusts.

Julie Waldron, Chief Executive said, “This is a huge vote of confidence in the mental health trust and the work we do. Our staff have worked hard to get us here and I’d like to thank everyone. We look forward to the rest of our journey to becoming a Foundation Trust. I hope that many more residents, patients and carers will join us as members and contribute their views and experiences to the way services develop”.

One in four of us will experience a mental health problem during our lives.
For every person who is ill, the lives of their family, friends and colleagues are also affected. It is at this time when we rely on help from our local health services.
It is very appropriate that this announcement was made on World Mental Health Day, which is an event held every year to communicate with people about mental health issues.

Julie Waldron continues, “Bringing together the thoughts and ideas of staff, patients, carers and local residents will help us to become an independent and strong trust. We want local people to help shape the future of mental health services in their area.”

The Trust has already recruited over 4,300 FT members from patients, staff, carers, local residents and partner organisations. However, we are still looking for more members to have a say on the services we provide. Becoming a member is easy and free. You can be involved as little or as much as you like. From simply receiving regular updates about developments to sitting as a Governor on our Members’ Council. Either fill in an application form online at www.obmh.nhs.uk or call 01865 782180 to request an application form by post.