Monitor to investigate community care services in Cornwall
Monitor has launched its first investigation involving an independent provider.
Monitor has launched an investigation into Peninsula Community Health on behalf of patients in Cornwall, the first investigation involving an independent provider by the regulator.
In July, the organisation confirmed that it would not be seeking to extend its contract to provide community care (such as community hospitals, district nursing and rehabilitation services) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly beyond this financial year.
The health sector regulator wants to understand what action it might need to take to ensure that patients continue to have access to these essential services.
Outside of its investigation, Monitor will also support local commissioners as they find a new provider for the area.
Richard Peden, Monitor’s Director of Independent Providers, said:
We want to understand the financial challenges facing the organisation, and crucially how we can support a smooth transition of services to a new community care provider.
Patients benefit from good quality services, and our priority is making sure that patients in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can continue to benefit from good community care throughout this process.
The organisation was formed as a social enterprise or ‘Community Interest Company’ which is not-for-profit and run for the benefit of the community.
No decision has been made by Monitor on whether action will be needed. Monitor will announce the outcome of its investigation once it is completed.
Update: 12 April 2016
We closed our investigation into Peninsula Community Health Community Interest Company after the transfer of essential adult community services to Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.