WIREDGOV

Monitor has approved the proposed dissolution of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and passed the administrators' recommendations to the Secretary of State.

The health sector regulator is satisfied the package of measures put forward by the Trust Special Administrators (TSAs) is the most appropriate solution for the local health economy that can be found in the circumstances.

Dr David Bennett, Monitor Chief Executive, said: "Making changes to local health care services is never easy, or necessarily popular with the general public. Neither does change in a complicated system like the NHS come cheap. Nevertheless it is absolutely essential that patients are able to access safe services today, tomorrow and well into the future."

Monitor's statutory powers with regard to TSAs are set out in the National Health Service Act 2006 as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and are quite specific. For example, we can only accept or reject their recommendations, we cannot amend them.

However, the Secretary of State has powers to require the TSAs to vary their report if he feels it does not meet any of his tests as set down in the legislation, including securing the essential services demanded by local commissioners and offering good value for money. That decision has to be made by 26 February 2014.

Monitor believes all the relevant tests have been met and is therefore recommending the TSAs’ proposals to the Secretary of State.

The special administrators will continue to run the trust and patients will be able to access healthcare services as normal.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• For further information please contact the Press Office on press.office@monitor.gov.uk or 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
• An overview of Monitor's regulatory approach at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust can be found here
• A copy of Monitor’s letter to the Secretary of State can be found here
• Follow Monitor on Twitter @MonitorUpdate