title: Foundation trusts. Shape up or ship out.
abstract: Uncertainty surrounds the future of the 140-odd trusts that are yet to achieve foundation status, as the December 2008 deadline to make the grade approaches. The regulator has said that some trusts will never be financially viable. These may include specialist trusts. Options for those left behind include closure or merger.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mooney
mesh_terms: D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom