Monitor (NHS)
Encyclopedia
Monitor, also known as the Independent Regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts, is a non-departmental public body
in the United Kingdom
. Its purpose is to regulate NHS Foundation Trust
s or Foundation Hospitals - hospital
s that have opted out of direct governmental control. The body was established in 2004 under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. Its current chair (since February 2011) is David Bennett
.
s seeking foundation status. If satisfied that certain criteria are met, it authorises them to operate as foundation trusts.
Once foundation trusts are authorised, Monitor's Regulatory Operations Directorate monitors their activities to ensure that they comply with the requirements of their terms of authorisation. The performance of foundations trust against healthcare standards is assessed by the Care Quality Commission
, which sends Monitor copies of inspection reports.
Monitor has powers to intervene in the running of foundation trusts in the event of failings in its healthcare standards, an "Omega Threat" incident, or other aspects of its activities that amount to a significant breach in the terms of its authorisation.
investigation recommended that Monitor de-authorise the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust
.
In line with the investigation report recommendation, Secretary of State for Health
, Andrew Burnham
, agreed to a further Independent Inquiry of the commissioning, supervisory and regulatory bodies for Foundation Trusts.
, Monitor will become 'an economic regulator, to promote effective and efficient providers of health and care, to promote competition, regulate prices and safeguard the continuity of services.'
Non-departmental public body
In the United Kingdom, a non-departmental public body —often referred to as a quango—is a classification applied by the Cabinet Office, Treasury, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive to certain types of public bodies...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Its purpose is to regulate NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Foundation Trust
An NHS foundation trust is part of the National Health Service in England and has gained a degree of independence from the Department of Health and local NHS strategic health authority.Foundation Trusts are represented by the , .-Function:...
s or Foundation Hospitals - hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s that have opted out of direct governmental control. The body was established in 2004 under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. Its current chair (since February 2011) is David Bennett
David Bennett (consultant)
David Bennett is the Chairman of Monitor, the regulator of the National Health Service in England, having been appointed in February 2011. He had been Monitor's Interim Chief Executive since March 2010....
.
Functions
Monitor is responsible for authorising, monitoring and regulating NHS Foundation Trusts. Their Regulatory Operations Directorate receives and considers applications from NHS trustNHS Trust
A National Health Service trust provides services on behalf of the National Health Service in England and NHS Wales.The trusts are not trusts in the legal sense but are in effect public sector corporations. Each trust is headed by a board consisting of executive and non-executive directors, and is...
s seeking foundation status. If satisfied that certain criteria are met, it authorises them to operate as foundation trusts.
Once foundation trusts are authorised, Monitor's Regulatory Operations Directorate monitors their activities to ensure that they comply with the requirements of their terms of authorisation. The performance of foundations trust against healthcare standards is assessed by the Care Quality Commission
Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission is a non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government established in 2009 to regulate and inspect health and social care services in England. This includes services provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies and voluntary organisations -...
, which sends Monitor copies of inspection reports.
Monitor has powers to intervene in the running of foundation trusts in the event of failings in its healthcare standards, an "Omega Threat" incident, or other aspects of its activities that amount to a significant breach in the terms of its authorisation.
Stafford Hospital investigation
In 2010 the Stafford Hospital scandalStafford Hospital scandal
The Stafford Hospital scandal came to light because of an investigation by the Healthcare Commission into the operation of Stafford Hospital in Stafford, England. The commission was first alerted by the "apparently high mortality rates in patients admitted as emergencies"...
investigation recommended that Monitor de-authorise the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust
Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is a NHS foundation trust which manages two hospitals:* Stafford Hospital - acute hospital with approximately 350 inpatient beds, opened in 1983...
.
In line with the investigation report recommendation, Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Health is a UK cabinet position responsible for the Department of Health.The first Boards of Health were created by Orders in Council dated 21 June, 14 November, and 21 November 1831. In 1848 a General Board of Health was created with the First Commissioner of Woods and...
, Andrew Burnham
Andrew Burnham
Andrew Murray Burnham is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Leigh since 2001. He served in the Cabinet under Gordon Brown from 2007 to 2010 as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary. He was a candidate in the 2010 Labour...
, agreed to a further Independent Inquiry of the commissioning, supervisory and regulatory bodies for Foundation Trusts.
Future Changes
The White Paper published July 2010 entitled 'Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS' details significant proposed changes for Monitor. According to the White Paper and subsequent Health and Social Care BillHealth and Social Care Bill 2011
The Health and Social Care Bill 2011 is proposed health care reform legislation introduced in the House of Commons on 19 January 2011. If passed, the Bill would be the most extensive reorganisation of the structure of the National Health Service in England to date. It proposes to abolish NHS...
, Monitor will become 'an economic regulator, to promote effective and efficient providers of health and care, to promote competition, regulate prices and safeguard the continuity of services.'