Monitor
Expand independent sector provision, says 'most powerful' hospital chief
The NHS’s most powerful hospital trust chief executive has used a HSJ interview to call for an expansion of independent sector provision.
FT ambitions will be 'very challenging' for community trusts
A leading provider of integrated health and social care looks set to abandon its ambitions to become a standalone community foundation trust in a move lawyers say could be repeated elsewhere.
Trusts needing bailout support almost double in 2011-12
Thirty-one trusts received bailout payments in 2011-12, information released to HSJ under the Freedom of Information Act reveals.
Monitor admits credit ratings agency plan may not be feasible
Monitor is reviewing its controversial proposals to require key service providers to receive external credit ratings or have limits placed on their debts.
Trusts reveal further delays to the FT pipeline
Four more trusts have confirmed delays in their dates for submitting applications to become foundation trusts, HSJ has discovered.
NHS Trust Development Authority chair appointed
The body responsible for pushing NHS trusts through the foundation trust authorisation process has appointed a chair.
Trust put finances ahead of waiting lists, Monitor suggests
The foundation trust regulator has voiced “concern” that the Royal Bolton Hospital placed finance ahead of tackling its burgeoning waiting list problems.
Mike Farrar warns to expect politicised mandate
NHS Confederation has said the first NHS “mandate” will spark public and political debate about the service’s priorities.
Monitor tightens efficiency targets for acute trusts
Monitor has issued a bleak assessment of the efficiency savings acute trusts must prepare to make over the next three years.
Larger trusts warn over C difficile rules
New Monitor rules on C difficile infections could still mean foundation trusts are downgraded by the regulator for relatively small outbreaks, HSJ has been told.
All-foundation trust NHS plans are 'at significant risk'
The government’s plan to see all NHS providers attain foundation trust status remains “at significant risk”, foundation trust regulator Monitor has warned.
Foundation trusts cannot use bailouts to hide financial failings, regulator warns
Monitor has warned foundation trusts it may disregard bailout payments when assessing their financial health, in a move which could allow earlier regulatory intervention in troubled organisations.
Market competition test proposed for trusts seeking extra funding
Monitor might refuse to allow local increases to the prices paid to NHS trusts unless commissioners have proven they could not buy the services more cheaply elsewhere, an independent report for the regulator has suggested.
Regulator's dual role still unclear
Monitor is still unclear about how it can justify its additional powers over foundation trusts once it becomes healthcare sectorregulator, its executive chair has told HSJ.
Monitor should toughen assessments following scandal - Bennett
Monitor’s executive chair has admitted it is “very likely” University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay had “deep-seated problems” at the time his organisation granted the trust foundation status.
Mental health trust in breach of authorisation despite 'improvement'
A mental health trust has been found in significant breach of its authorisation by Monitor, after the Care Quality Commission raised concerns about care.
Trust's bid to run disability services 200 miles away damaged risk rating
An NHS learning disability trust’s unsuccessful bid to take over the running of a similar service nearly 200 miles away led to its financial risk rating with Monitor deteriorating.
Ministers seek 'further advice' on conflict of interest in commissioning
Ministers have asked the Co-operation and Competition Panel for advice on how commissioners handle conflicts of interest, following a test case.
Monitor: governors should step in earlier to address problems
Monitor’s chief operating officer has told foundation trust governors they should step in earlier if there are quality problems at their trust.
Exclusive: regulator mulls new squad of fixers for most-troubled trusts
Struggling foundation trusts may be forced to take on new Monitor troubleshooters who will advise trust boards and inform the regulator about weak board members, HSJ has discovered.
More on Monitor
Keeping afloat: how trusts can survive under the new NHS failure regime
Takeover or oblivion are possibilities for some NHS organisations in the new order – so what are they doing to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat, asks Alison Moore.
Q&A: Monitor outline details on changing failure regime
From next year, foundation trusts will face an unforgiving regime which introduces transparency to their funding - and could lead to them being dissolved and their services distributed to other providers.
Could Hinchingbrooke set a benchmark for health organisation ownership?
Circle’s takeover of Hinchingbrooke hospital has opened a debate on hospital ownership and management, which could, Kevin Jacquiss says, inspire the government to look at new ideas to secure a sustainable future for health service organisations.
Why EU competition law is still a central issue in healthcare reform
Since its publication, and despite ongoing revisions, the debate as to whether the Health Bill opens the NHS up to European competition law to a previously unseen level remains a “live” issue. Beachcroft partner Robert McGough and BDO adviser Dr Rupert Dunbar-Rees discuss.
Why more freedom for foundations could mean more challenges
What does the full force of insolvency law mean for foundation trusts? Dickinson Dees partner in public services Tim Care looks at some of the challenges that come with new freedoms.
Why competition still has its place in NHS
Competition in the NHS is nothing new - and the more measured approach outlined in the Health Bill’s amendments this week will better preparing the health service to fully function with competition working alongside integration, argues Wragge and Co partner Simon Taylor.
