These include: the annual report which includes the directors’ report and the remuneration report; the accounting officer’s statement of responsibilities; the auditor’s opinion and certificate; the statement on internal control; the foreword to the accounts; four primary financial statements; and the notes to the accounts.
Foundation trusts should include a report on the quality of care they provide within their annual report. The aim of this quality report is to improve public accountability for the quality of care.
Each year, Monitor publishes the NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reporting Manual that outlines what needs to be included in the annual report and accounts and when and how it needs to be submitted.
NHS foundation trusts’ latest annual reports and accounts are available to download from the relevant entry in the NHS foundation trust directory.
Copies of the guidance that Monitor has issued to foundation trusts relating to the accounts and FTCs process and Alignment Project in 2011/12 can be found here.
FT Annual Reports not covering the full financial year should clearly state this on the cover and title page, to make it clear that a report is for a part period. To be consistent we recommend that FTs authorised during the last financial year (1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012) use the following wording: "Annual Report for (insert date of first authorisation) - 31 March 2012”.