David Bennett appointed as Interim Chief Executive of Monitor

Chris Mellor, acting chair of Monitor, has announced that Dr David Bennett has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive of Monitor.

Chris Mellor said “I am very pleased that David Bennett has agreed to become Monitor’s interim Chief Executive. David has extensive knowledge of the policy and strategic context of the health sector as well as practical knowledge of the FT sector.

He continued “David’s wide ranging experience means that he is well placed to provide Monitor with day-to-day leadership at this time of considerable change.”

David Bennett commented “As the NHS faces up to a highly challenging financial climate it is my priority to encourage Foundation Trusts to make use of their unique freedoms to develop and deliver high quality care for their local communities. At the same time it is ever more important that public and patients have the knowledge that Monitor is providing effective oversight of the performance of the autonomous foundation trust sector. This is a hugely exciting time for Monitor and I am delighted that I will be able to play my part in developing this first class organisation’s strategy and direction.”

David’s appointment will continue until a permanent Chief Executive is in post following the appointment by the Secretary of State of a non-executive Chairman.

Monitor has also confirmed the following foundation trusts will be authorised:

• 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust;
• Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; and
• South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The announcement means there are now 129 NHS foundation trusts in total, of which 40 are mental health NHS foundation trusts.

Having achieved NHS foundation trust status these trusts will benefit from a variety of new freedoms:

• they are free from central government control and are able to decide how to improve their services;
• they can retain any surpluses they generate to invest in new services, and can borrow money to support these investments; and 
• they are accountable to their local communities; local people can become members and governors.

These freedoms mean NHS foundation trusts can better shape their healthcare services around local needs and priorities and the requirements of their primary care trusts.