Background
Monitor regulates 147 NHS foundation trusts and is a key player in the reformed health system. Its role now includes ensuring the continuity of services for patients. From April 2014, it will also take on significant new responsibilities as the sector regulator for health services, and its spending and staff numbers have increased significantly over the past three years. An all-time high of 25 NHS foundation trusts were in breach of their regulatory conditions at the end of 2013. As risk in the foundation trust sector increases, Monitor is under pressure to ensure it has the capacity and capability to detect risk and intervene effectively.
This inquiry examines whether Monitor’s regulation of NHS foundation trusts has been effective, how far Monitor’s regulatory approach helps trusts address financial and clinical issues, and whether Monitor is well placed to take on its new responsibilities.
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