19.01.12
Support not threats?
Should hospital trusts be more rigorously assessed on the basis of their financial strength?
Of course this must be in addition to monitoring their clinical quality and performance. With so many trusts in financial trouble, and struggling to achieve foundation trust status, such a check may act to improve overall performance.
On the other hand, it could be argued that hospitals need support to overcome their financial difficulties, not more of a spotlight on their failings and the looming threat of losing their licence.
Hospitals’ primary concern should be its patients and the quality of the care it delivers. While good finances are necessary to achieving this, placing additional limits and checks may not be the best way to support healthy and robust finances.
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