Regulator to investigate A&E and finances at South West London Foundation trust
Monitor has opened an investigation on behalf of patients into A&E waiting times and the financial sustainability of Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The health regulator is concerned because some patients are waiting too long for A&E treatment and the trust is predicting a £8.8 million deficit for this financial year.
The trust provides emergency, clinical and specialist services to 350,000 people across Kingston, Richmond, Roehampton, Putney and East Elmbridge. However, it has been increasingly failing to see patients in A&E within the national waiting time target of four hours since October 2014.
In addition, the scale of the deterioration in Kingston’s financial position may force the trust to apply for additional funding.
Monitor’s investigation will examine how and why these situations have happened, and identify possible solutions. It also aims to prompt Kingston into exploring further ways in which the trust can work with other local NHS organisations to provide patients with quality services.
Mark Turner, Regional Director at Monitor, said:
Some patients of Kingston’s have been waiting too long to be seen in A&E. This situation needs to improve. Kingston also seems to be experiencing some financial challenges which may risk its long-term sustainability.
We have launched this investigation to find out more about both situations and to establish what can be done to help the trust improve things.
Monitor will announce the outcome of its investigation in due course.