OXFORDSHIRE’S hospitals were given a national seal of approval yesterday when they were awarded foundation trust status.

It means the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust will be more accountable to its patients through a newly-appointed board of governors.

Health sector regulator Monitor made its decision last night, but warned that the trust must continue to cut patient waiting times in A&E and for cancer care.

The OUHT, which runs the John Radcliffe, Horton and Churchill hospitals as well as the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, will be renamed the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will be one of 152 across the country.

The decisions means the OUHT will move away from central government control with a new board of governors which will meet regularly and hold hospital bosses to account.

It will also allow the trust to keep its financial surpluses for investing in new services, to borrow cash and make key decisions on how to improve services to patients.

Chief executive Sir Jonathan Michael said: “Becoming a foundation trust is recognition of the work we’ve done to improve the quality and efficiency of our services for patients and the capability we have to continue these improvements. It also provides more local accountability.”

Sir Jonathan, who retires as chief executive on Sunday, said: “We will continue to focus on delivering safe and high-quality care, living within our means and meeting national standards in a very difficult financial climate.”

The decision follows a rigorous assessment of finances and care.