Patients benefit after foundation trust improves quality of care and clinical leadership

The trust has made significant progress since concerns were identified about its quality of care, staffing levels, clinical leadership and A&E performance during the Keogh Review.

These improvements led Monitor to remove the trust from special measures in July 2014, and the regulator has now issued compliance certificates which formally recognise the progress made.

During special measures the trust appointed a new medical director to improve clinical oversight and input at board level, and has strengthened clinical leadership. This has increased the focus on the quality of patient care at the highest level.

However, the trust has begun to experience financial difficulties. Monitor is now working to understand the problem further and to explore any required solutions.

Paul Chandler, Regional Director at Monitor, said: “Patients should be pleased to see that the quality of care provided by the trust has significantly improved and that there has been progress in A&E performance and clinical leadership.

“The trust has taken a rigorous approach to improving the quality of its services but we are looking into the emerging financial problems.”

Monitor will continue to scrutinise the trust’s performance and may take future regulatory action if adequate steps are not taken to address its financial sustainability.

North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have noted Monitor’s formal recognition of progress made on quality of care and clinical leadership by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (NLaG FT).

Dr Margaret Sanderson, Chair of North Lincolnshire CCG, said: “The CCG is pleased to note the improvements made by the Trust and the developments made by their strengthened clinical leadership that is addressing the quality of patient care.

“We are aware of the financial difficulties that the Trust is currently facing and we are working with them to look at a variety of options and opportunities for resolution. We will continue to support both Monitor and the Trust to understand the impact of these financial challenges on the local health community.”

Dr Peter Melton, Clinical Chief Officer of North East Lincolnshire CCG, commented: “We are pleased to see NLaG FT has been taken out of special measures, and are very encouraged that progress on the quality of services has been recognised by Monitor. We look forward to working with NLaG FT to drive forward continued improvements to achieve high quality, patient-focused health services that the people of Northern Lincolnshire deserve.

“We do recognise however, as does the Trust, that there is work to be done to address their emerging financial difficulties. NLaG FT is one of our key partners and we welcome the opportunity to work closely with them to look at possible solutions to safeguard their future financial sustainability. It is equally important that we also engage with the public to ensure they understand the true financial position and the challenges we face. This links to our Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures review of services to identify how care can be delivered in the future to offer safe, high quality and affordable services for years to come.”