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The health sector regulator will send in a team of experts to come up with a plan to secure the future of services for patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust.

A 'Contingency Planning Team' will work with local commissioners to establish options for sustainable patient services and make a clear recommendation to Monitor.

The trust has been in breach of its operating conditions since January 2012 and was placed into special measures in October 2013. At the time, Monitor had concerns that it was providing poor quality care and had weak leadership.

Since then, an interim Chair, Chief Executive and Nursing Director have been appointed and progress has been made in several areas, particularly in A&E. However, the trust is still forecasting that it will make a £13 million deficit in 2013/14.

Monitor’s board has decided to start the process of appointing a team of experts and a competitive tender will be issued to choose who will carry out the work. The team is likely to start work in July 2014 and will work alongside the trust management who will remain responsible for the day-to-day running of the hospital.

Mark Turner, Regional Director at Monitor said:

"The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is suffering serious financial problems. The people of King’s Lynn expect good quality care to be provided and our team of experts will work closely with the trust management and with local commissioners to ensure the services patients need are provided in a sustainable way."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Monitor’s board is expected to take a final decision to appoint the team of experts at the end of June.
• More information about special measures can be found here
• For further information please contact Emma Shepherd, Media Relations Manager 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 found here.
• Follow Monitor on Twitter @MonitorUpdate