Monitor - Independant Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts
Information for commissioners
In this section commissioners can find out more about Monitor's role, and how and when to contact us.
As the regulator, our role is to ensure that foundation trusts operate within the terms of their authorisation. Although we would expect most issues of concern between commissioners and foundation trusts to be resolved at a local level, there may be specific issues where commissioners might contact us and where we can work closely together – further information and examples can be found here, along with how to contact our relationship managers.
Monitor’s aim is to rectify issues, working with boards of foundation trusts and others, on a sustainable basis. This may in certain circumstances take time, involve the use of our regulatory or formal powers and may not entail a quick fix. In any event, Monitor will maintain regular contact with commissioners where it is taking regulatory action to ensure problems are rectified. Our approach is set out in our Compliance Framework.
As part of their periodic reporting, NHS foundation trusts submit three year plans to Monitor each spring. We would expect NHS foundation trusts to have regular dialogue with their commissioners during the design and evolution of these plans – in addition, once submitted to us, the plans provide a useful opportunity for dialogue between our relationship teams and PCTs. The latest plans can be found on the foundation trust directory.
Monitor will also contact commissioners during the assessment of applicants for foundation trust status, to understand commissioning intentions and any material performance concerns.
We distribute our regular publications such as the quarterly sector reports to PCTs. These reports highlight individual compliance issues and, where appropriate, the action we are taking.