Monitor advises on proposed Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust move to Cambridge
2 May 2014 11:39 AM
The health sector
regulator has provided advice on the proposed relocation of the Papworth
Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to the biomedical campus at the Cambridge
University Hospital Foundation Trust's Addenbrooke's
site.
Monitor's advice is that the
scheme, which is partly funded by a PFI, is affordable, but there are some
marginal financial risks. The regulator recommends the trust takes steps in its
final business case to mitigate these risks, chiefly by further developing the
benefits that will come from closer working relationships on the
Addenbrooke’s site.
The Department of Health and HM
Treasury have been informed about Monitor's findings. Our investigation
followed on from an independent clinical review, which found the
case for co-location to be "very compelling" as critically ill
cardiac patients would no longer have to be transferred 15 miles for
treatment.
The clinical experts'
reviewed a number of options including moving Papworth, the specialist
cardiothoracic hospital, to the fourth floor of Peterborough City Hospital
which is currently not being used for clinical purposes. The review concluded
that there would be minimal patient and clinical benefits to
this.
Monitor undertook a financial
review which raised some concerns about the affordability of the scheme.
However the regulator confirmed the project could move on to the next stage and
expects the trust to take these findings into account when preparing its final
plans for the relocation to the Cambridge biomedical campus.
The Papworth board will now
prepare final proposals to present to Monitor, Department of Health and HM
Treasury before the move is given the final go ahead.
ENDS
Notes to
editors:
- For further information please
contact Emma Shepherd, Media Relations Manager on 020 3747 0800 or 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.
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