Monitor launches investigation into Royal Berkshire Hospital
The healthcare regulator is investigating Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust because of concerns about aspects of its performance.
Royal Berkshire Hospital has identified problems with its data on patient waiting times, which has raised questions about its ability to meet national waiting time targets.
Monitor is also concerned that the trust is predicting that it may suffer larger financial losses this year than previously thought.
Paul Streat, Regional Director at Monitor, said:
We are investigating because of problems with the trust’s financial position, and because there are potential concerns with the way it manages patient waiting lists.
Since August, the trust’s new Chief Executive has made some progress with tackling these issues, including making the trust leadership more effective. However, we need to make sure the trust is doing enough to fix these problems and improve how the hospital is run for its patients.
Monitor will announce the outcome of its investigation, and any regulatory action, in due course.