The chairman of Monitor (the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts) announced on 28 April that, in accordance with section 6 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, Monitor had decided to authorise the following NHS mental health trusts to operate as NHS foundation trusts from 1 May 2006:

Oxleas NHS Trust

South Essex Partnership NHS Trust

South Staffordshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Monitor's announcement marks the first group of mental health trusts becoming authorised as NHS foundation trusts and will enable these trusts to take advantage of the new freedoms available to them to improve services for their communities and innovate new approaches to patient care.

A fourth applicant, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, has deferred its application at this time. Monitor will remain in contact with the trust although ultimately it is for the trust to decide when it wishes to return to Monitor's assessment process.

Monitor's announcement brings the total number of NHS foundation trusts to 35. A copy of Monitor's press notice has been placed in the library.

The Government remain committed to offering all NHS acute and mental health trusts the opportunity to apply for foundation status as soon as practicable.

A further six trusts are being considered by Monitor for authorisation by 1 June 2006 and a further 14 trusts are being considered for authorisation by 1 August. This will complete the second wave of foundation trust applications.