30.10.15
Regulator to investigate Doncaster FT after predicted surplus became £12m deficit
Monitor has launched an investigation into Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS FT after the provider reported running a £12.6m deficit instead of the £2.2m surplus it had predicted for 2015-16.
The director of finance and infrastructure at the trust has resigned.
The latest financial data supplied showed a significant deterioration of its finances, which could force the organisation to apply for additional funding support in the future.
The trust’s chief executive, Mike Pinkerton, also claimed that accounts were inaccurately reported to the provider’s finance director and board of directors for the first five months of the year.
The regulator will now carry out an in-depth investigation to understand how and why the situation has changed to starkly, while also exploring solutions to the unprecedented deficit.
It will examine the state of its finances, assess the strength of its financial management and look at ways of improving its long-term sustainability.
Paul Chandler, Monitor’s regional director, said: “People are relying on Doncaster and Bassetlaw to provide them with high quality healthcare now and in the future. Therefore, we need to make sure the trust can do this in a sustainable way and within its budget.
“We have launched this investigation to find out more about the financial situation at the trust and to establish what can be done to improve things.”
Pinkerton told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he called on an internal investigation into the trust’s finances management on 20 October after inaccuracies were identified.
He added: “As the person ultimately responsible for the systems of financial management and control within the organisation, the director of finance and infrastructure has resigned.
“Our internal controls raised a concern about the reported financial position, which led us to complete some further internal checks, uncovering some inaccuracies in financial reporting.”
The regulator said it will report back on findings from the external probe “in due course”.
The trust – which runs Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw District General Hospital, Retford Hospital and Montagu Hospital in Mexborough – said it will fully co-operate with Monitor’s investigation.