10.12.13
Monitor to assess winter pressures on A&E
Trusts will now be assessed on how they manage seasonal pressures on emergency care, Monitor has announced.
To further develop the partnership with NHS England and the NHS Trust Development Authority (NTDA), organisations will be supported to manage potential demand over the winter months.
Achievement against a national A&E standard will be measured on a weekly basis and trusts will be supported to identify any local barriers to treating patients within the four hour target. Any remedial actions will be agreed with the trust.
Dr David Bennett, chief executive of Monitor, said: “Monitor is committed to playing an active role in joined-up planning across the NHS in order to put patients first and ensure they get the services they need this winter.
“Our primary duty as regulator is to protect and promote the interests of patients, so we must do what we can to ensure that performance against the emergency care access standards remains strong and that no-one is subject to undue clinical risk as a result of excessive waits for treatment.”
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