Monitor launches investigation into Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Health sector regulator Monitor has today launched an investigation into Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust following concerns about the trust’s finances and because patients are currently waiting too long in accident and emergency.
The trust, which provides a range of services to patients in Barnsley, has breached the national A&E quarterly target 5 times in an 18 month period. The trust’s financial performance has also deteriorated with the consequence that it reported a deficit of £2.3 million in February 2014.
Monitor is to look into whether these problems indicate wider issues with how the trust is run.
Monitor will examine whether the trust is operating in breach of its licence to provide healthcare services and will take action if it is needed, to put things right.
Frances Shattock, Regional Director for the North at Monitor, said:
We are opening this investigation because we want to understand why the trust is facing problems in its A&E and with its finances so that we can help it to improve and provide a good quality service for local people.
We expect the trust to take rapid action to address its problems whilst an investigation is ongoing. If necessary, we will not hesitate to take regulatory action.
Monitor will announce the outcome of its regulatory investigation in due course.