King’s Lynn FT to bring in ‘external support’ after regulator mauling  

The trust failed to meet the target to admit, treat or discharge 95 per cent of accident and emergency patients within four hours for three consecutive quarters.

It also failed to provide an adequate financial recovery plan to “demonstrate how the trust could return to financial sustainability”, Monitor said.

Monitor’s criticisms follow the Care Quality Commission reporting national standards of quality and safety were not being met at the hospital.

A Monitor statement said: “The trust has now assured Monitor it will fix the failings identified by the CQC, implement an A&E recovery plan, and bring in external support to find a long term solution to [its] problems.”

HSJ understands the trust has instructed PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out a “diagnostic review” which will involve consultants examining its financial performance and plans to rectify existing problems.

Monitor regional director Mark Turner said: “Since we first stepped in at this trust, further issues have arisen and the trust’s financial position has deteriorated.

“We are concerned about the issues identified by the CQC report and expect the trust to take steps to rectify these problems and make sure it delivers appropriate care for its patients.

“We will also use our regulatory powers to ensure that the trust: takes steps to achieve the A&E national waiting time target; addresses its financial performance; and undertakes an independent review of how the trust ensures it delivers high quality care.”