Statutory guidance

Well-led NHS foundation trusts: a framework for structuring governance reviews

Sets out how NHS foundation trusts should carry out reviews of their governance and explains how NHS trusts applying for foundation trust status can use the well-led framework.

• From: Monitor, Care Quality Commission and NHS Trust Development Authority
• Published: 20 May 2014
• Last updated: 14 April 2015 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 22 June 2017

An updated framework is now available on NHS Improvement’s website: https://improvement.nhs.uk/resources/well-led-framework/

Applies to England

Documents

Well-led framework for governance reviews

PDF, 809 KB, 49 pages

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Changes to the well-led framework and what they mean for NHS providers

PDF, 226 KB, 6 pages

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Well-led framework: 10 questions aligned with Care Quality Commission characteristics and Monitor good practice

PDF, 220 KB, 19 pages

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Details

NHS foundation trusts should use this framework as a reference for structuring reviews of their governance. NHS trusts that are applying for foundation trust status should refer to the document ‘Well-led framework: 10 questions aligned with Care Quality Commission characteristics and Monitor good practice’.

Monitor’s risk assessment framework says NHS foundation trusts should carry out an external review of their governance every 3 years.

Updates to the well-led framework and what this means for NHS foundation trusts (April 2015)

The characteristics of a well-led organisation, as defined by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) are now identical. This aligned view of a well-led organisation is reflected in CQC’s assessments and ratings, as set out in its provider handbooks, while Monitor and TDA now use the updated well-led framework as the point of reference for NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

It replaces the quality governance framework (QGF) and the board governance assurance framework (BGAF), which are now effectively incorporated within the framework.

Published 20 May 2014
Last updated 14 April 2015 + show all updates

1. 14 April 2015

   We have updated the well-led framework to align the characteristics of a well-led organisation, as defined by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA).

2. 20 May 2014

   First published.