Alder Hey becomes the first dedicated children’s Trust to be recognised as an Advanced Foundation Trust.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has become the first dedicated children’s Trust to achieve Advanced Foundation Trust status. It is one of just six Trusts nationally to gain this recognition by NHS England.
The recognition places Alder Hey among the NHS’s highest-performing organisations and acknowledges the Trust’s strong leadership, quality governance, financial sustainability and commitment to continuous improvement.
It is also a tribute to the skill, compassion and resilience of Alder Hey’s staff, volunteers and partners, who continue to deliver outstanding care for children, young people and families, during what is a considerably challenging period for the NHS.
Advanced Foundation Trusts will have greater freedom to make decisions, plan services and accelerate improvements for patients. For Alder Hey, this means building further momentum behind Vision 2030, the Trust’s ambitious strategy to create a healthier, happier and fairer future for children and young people.
Through Vision 2030, Alder Hey is working with partners to bring more care closer to home, use digital and technological innovation impactfully and responsibly, and tackle the wider inequalities that shape children’s health and life chances. This is fully reflective of the three shifts laid out in the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan – to prevention, digital and community-based care.
This is a proud moment for Alder Hey and a tremendous endorsement of the work taking place across our organisation, and beyond.
“To be the first dedicated children’s Trust to become an Advanced Foundation Trust is a significant milestone, but above all, it is a recognition of our people. Their expertise, compassion and commitment have made this possible, especially at a time when the NHS is under real pressure.”
John Grinnell, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
John Grinnell, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, continued:
“Advanced Foundation Trust status gives us greater freedom to make decisions locally, but it also brings a clear responsibility to use that freedom well. For Alder Hey, that means staying focused on what matters most: improving the health and life chances of children, young people and families, especially those facing the greatest inequalities. It is a responsibility we take seriously, and one we are proud to accept.
“No single organisation can overcome the challenges facing children’s health alone. Alder Hey has the privilege of working with strong and committed partners. Together we must grow our networks and deepen our connection with our communities. By working together, we will go further, faster in making our Vision 2030 ambition real for children, young people and families, and in fulfilling the potential of the Advanced Foundation Trust Programme.”
NHS England North West Chair, Kathy Cowell, said: “This is fantastic news for children and families across the region. Being named in the first wave of the Advanced Foundation Trust Programme is a tremendous achievement for Alder Hey and a real testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at the Trust.
“Advanced Foundation Trust status is the new mark of excellence for NHS providers, recognising organisations that are delivering high quality care, strong leadership and financial sustainability.
“This will give Alder Hey even greater freedom to respond to the needs of its patients and local community, meaning better, more joined-up care for the children and young people who depend on them. I look forward to seeing the Trust build on this well-deserved recognition.”
Advanced Foundation Trust status will come into effect for Alder Hey from 1st June 2026 and is subject to review every 5 years.
More information about Advanced Foundation Trusts is available on the NHS England website.
More information about Vision 2030 can be found below