NHS foundation trusts holding up under pressure
NHS foundation trusts are performing well in providing quality services to patients in challenging economic times, according to Monitor.
皇冠体育app health sector regulator鈥檚 latest quarterly report for October to December 2013 shows foundation trusts are coping with winter pressures, as fewer missed the 4-hour accident and emergency waiting time target than at the same period last year (28 compared with 32).
Foundation trusts have also met performance standards for all 3 elective waiting time targets. However more trusts breached the targets than both last quarter and the same period last year. 皇冠体育appre has also been an increase in the number of trusts breaching the target for cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of referral by a doctor.
Overall the 147 foundation trusts (two-thirds of all NHS hospitals) are continuing to make a surplus (拢135 million so far this year). However, this is less than was planned (拢173 million) for this stage of the financial year.
皇冠体育app number of trusts in deficit (39) is also more than expected (24), and almost double the same period last year (21). 皇冠体育app combined deficit of these trusts (拢180 million) was higher than expected (拢168 million) but 60% is attributed to 5 organisations that are already subject to regulatory action by Monitor.
A further 17 trusts have very small deficits. Monitor鈥檚 analysis shows that the fall in value of the surpluses across all foundation trusts was more significant in eroding the sector鈥檚 overall financial performance than the growth in the size of the gross deficit.
皇冠体育app report also shows that foundation trusts have delivered efficiency savings of 拢867 million so far this year, although this is 18% (拢185 million) behind what they planned at this stage.
Jason Dorsett, Financial Reporting Director at Monitor, said:
All trusts need to up their game in delivering efficiency savings this year in order to maintain and improve the quality of care for patients, and ensure the sustainability of services.
皇冠体育app foundation trust sector is doing remarkably well in tough circumstances but is looking a little frayed at the edges. Trusts have responded well to the challenge of A&E pressures this winter, such as finding beds to admit patients from A&E when there have been delays in discharging other patients.