acute hospital trust

acute hospital trust

The organisational and managerial infrastructure of hospitals in the UK. Acute trusts ensure that hospitals provide high-quality healthcare, spend their money efficiently, and decide how a hospital will develop so that services improve. Acute trusts employ most of the NHS workforce, including health professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, pharmacists, midwives and health visitors), allied health workers (e.g., physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists, speech and language therapists, counsellors, occupational therapists, psychologists and healthcare scientists), and non-medical support staff (e.g., receptionists, porters, cleaners, IT specialists, managers, engineers, caterers and domestic and security staff).

Some acute trusts are regional or national centres for more specialised care. Others are attached to universities and help to train health professionals. Acute trusts may also provide services in the community—e.g., through health centres, clinics or in people's homes. Some acute trusts are regional centres for more specialised health services (e.g., cancer, severe burns, or spinal injuries). Others include teaching hospitals.

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