Monitor responds to publication of governance review into Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation TrustRSS

Published on: 29th June 2010

In February 2010, Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Monitor jointly commissioned an independent review of governance to look in detail at how effectively the Trust Board runs the hospital, and what areas could be improved. This review is now complete and the Trust has published the findings.

The review does not identify any serious failings in governance that would lead Monitor to consider it necessary to take regulatory action. However, it does identify areas where the Board can do more. Engagement with the Trust’s members and stakeholders is identified as an area where the Board needs to accelerate progress, as is fostering genuine clinical engagement and accountability.

The Trust has accepted all the review’s recommendations and has developed an action plan to strengthen the areas highlighted as having scope for improvement. This action plan is published alongside the governance review.

The Care Quality Commission’s responsive review of the quality of care provided by the Trust is also published today. This finds that the Trust has made necessary improvements to staffing levels and co-ordination of staffing rosters, and lifts the two conditions imposed on the trust’s licence, while emphasising that the trust must continue with improvements to quality and safety.

David Bennett, Interim Chief Executive of Monitor, said:

“This independent review describes Tameside’s Board as having ‘the commitment, breadth of experience and capability, to deliver good governance’.  However, it also highlights areas which need to improve if this Board is to achieve its full potential and deliver the best possible leadership of Tameside hospital. Monitor’s clear expectation is that the Board will use this opportunity to drive progress towards achieving consistent excellence across all areas of governance – this is the goal every foundation trust should be working towards.

“One of the findings of this review is that the Trust needs to take steps to strengthen engagement with its membership. The foundation trust model of accountability to local communities through members and governors is a powerful tool for patient and public involvement, and every foundation trust has a duty to be truly publicly accountable whilst providing high quality care - and to engage with patients on how successfully these goals are being met.”

Notes for editors

  1. For media enquiries please contact Anna Jefferson 0207 3402442
  2. The independent governance review is published on Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s website at www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk
  3. Monitor authorises and regulates NHS foundation trusts ensuring they are well-managed and financially viable in order to deliver high quality healthcare for patients.
  4. Monitor was established in January 2004. It is independent of government and accountable to Parliament. Monitor’s functions and powers are set out in the National Health Service Act 2006.