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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 A&E 

The trust, which provides a range of services to patients in Barnsley, has breached the national A&E quarterly target five times in an 18 month period. The trust’s financial performance has also deteriorated with the consequence that it reported a deficit of £2.3m 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 health care 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.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• For further information, please contact Justine Moat, Communications Assistant on press.office@monitor.gov.uk (020 3747 0800)
• 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.
• Follow Monitor on Twitter @MonitorUpdate