WIREDGOV

Three national NHS partners have today agreed to work together to provide trusts with a single view of what good leadership looks like for NHS providers. Monitor has, at the same time, launched its contribution to this work.

Monitor, Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA)  have committed to developing an aligned framework for making judgements about how well-led NHS providers are. The framework will ensure a consistent view which will form the basis of regulatory judgements.

This initiative will help organisations to improve as it provides clarity of expectation of what good looks like, and will allow them to benchmark themselves against that expectation. A joined-up approach will also remove unnecessary duplication and burden on NHS providers.

The partners intend to put these plans into action by October 2014 after testing the approach with trusts. Monitor’s contribution has been captured in guidance to NHS foundation trust boards on how to assess the quality of their leadership, the 'Well-led framework for Governance Reviews' also published today.

Miranda Carter, Executive Director of Provider Appraisal, said:

"Our focus is on whether a foundation trust board is doing a good job. We will use the new aligned framework when we look at their leadership, governance and culture.

"Our approach, as with the NHS TDA, is complementary to the CQC, because we are looking from the board down and they are looking from the ward up, so the partners working together achieve a comprehensive picture of how well-led a particular NHS organisation is in providing front-line care."

Monitor, CQC and the NHS TDA all test the quality of leadership in their assessments and inspection of NHS trusts and foundation trusts. The quality of leadership is one of the most important determinants of the quality and safety of services.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• By 'well-led' we mean that the leadership, management and governance of the organisation assure the delivery of high-quality care for patients, supports learning and innovation and promote an open and fair culture.
• Monitor is launching the 'Well-led statement of Intent', 'Well-led framework for Governance Reviews' and the ‘Response to Consultation’ at a joint event with the Foundation Trust Network on Tuesday 20 May.
• For further information please contact Andrew Kliman, Senior Media Advisor on 020 3747 0800 or email: press.office@monitor.gov.uk
• Monitor is the sector regulator of NHS-funded health care services. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 its main duty is to protect and promote the interests of people who use them. Information about Monitor’s role can be foundhere.