06.10.14
Governance concerns prompt Monitor to help SLaM choose new chair
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is to recruit a new chair by the end of the year, following an investigation by Monitor into the trust’s governance arrangements.
The regulator launched its investigation in July 2014 after external reviews raised concerns about the way the trust was organised and run. Since then, SLaM has developed a package of measures to address the concerns, including strengthening processes that ensure patient safety and quality of care, quickly identifying where things have gone wrong, and enabling management to better understand what is going on in its hospitals.
In September, Madeliene Long, who chaired SLaM for 14 years, announced she would not be seeking a further term. She said: “SLaM is a great organisation that continues to deliver the very best care for patients and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
“I am immensely proud to have been closely associated with it, and have enjoyed working with such dedicated staff over the years. I wish my successor every good wish in taking the many developments we have in train forward.”
Since then the trust's Nominations Committee has started the process to recruit a new chair. Monitor added that it will work closely with the trust to ensure the best candidate is chosen.
The trust has also agreed to improve the quality of its estate more quickly than previously planned, including refurbishing wards. As part of changes to the way the trust is run, two new non-executive directors have already been appointed and two further appointments are planned by the end of the year.
The regulator has closed the investigation but will continue to monitor the trust to make sure the planned improvements are made. The trust has also agreed that it will commission an independent review in early 2015 to ensure that all of the necessary changes are in place.
Mark Turner, regional director for Monitor, said: “Our investigation has raised concerns about how this trust is run. The trust has developed a package of measures to address these concerns and ensure that those using its services will continue to receive high quality care.
“We will continue our monitoring of this trust to make sure it delivers the planned improvements.”
Dr Matthew Patrick, chief executive of SLaM, added that the outcome is very positive for SLaM and he believes the trust is in a good place to build as a result of its work with Monitor over the past few months.
“Our attention will now be focused on the further actions that we need to deliver to ensure governance arrangements of the very highest quality,” he stated. With regards to the outgoing Long, he said: “She will be much missed, but it is characteristic of her leadership that she is managing this transition in such a clear and effective manner.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]