By Richard Johnstone | 20 June 2014
Monitor has urged NHS foundation trusts to take ‘controlled risks’ in order to improve patient care.
Publishing its annual plan, the watchdog said it would review the way it regulates foundation trusts to ensuring those organisations which provide healthcare are given room to innovate and take calculated risks.
Foundation trust hospitals already have greater freedom than other NHS hospitals, and the government has said all hospital trusts should attain this status.
Monitor said it would consider changes that encourage the NHS to develop services that better meet the needs of patients whilst doing more with the money it is given.
Over 2014/15, Monitor said it would also examine opportunities to integrate and localise healthcare. Research will also be carried out on how patient choice and competition can affect the healthcare market and work undertaken to design a new payment system based on evidence of good patient care.
Chief executive Dr David Bennett said: ‘We recognise that in order to promote innovation we have to let healthcare providers take measured risks, and will be working to take a balanced approach when there are ideas for change. The need for change in the NHS is well known, but it shouldn’t be seen as a threat; it is an opportunity for radical and lasting improvement.
‘This year we will work with partners to build on existing research and explore new ideas for how healthcare could deliver quality services for patients. We will use that research to support providers and commissioners to improve and adapt to patients’ changing needs.’
