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The health sector regulator has opened an investigation into whether West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has breached its licence to provide healthcare for patients, due to concerns about its financial performance.

Monitor is to examine why the trust failed to deliver its planned savings and overspent by around £4m last year. The trust has stated this is because of a number of factors including an increase in the number of emergency admissions and delays in discharging patients after treatment at the hospital.

As part of the investigation, Monitor will work with the Trust and other NHS bodies to understand the Trust's financial position and the local response.

Monitor's Regional Director for the Midlands and East of England, Adam Cayley said:

"We need to understand why West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s financial position has deteriorated and be assured that our concerns about its financial performance are suitably addressed and do not impact on the trust delivering the care its patients deserve."

Monitor will announce the outcome of its regulatory investigation in due course.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The trust is a small district general hospital in Bury St Edmunds with an annual income of £166m.
• 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 foundhere.
• Follow Monitor on Twitter @MonitorUpdate