BSUH is no longer in special measures for financial reasons following improvements in financial performance and management at the trust.

We worked to secure new management arrangements at the trust just over a year ago. The board and executive team of neighbouring Western Sussex NHS Foundation Trust took on management responsibility for BSUH with an immediate priority to stabilise its financial position and improve quality and performance at the trust.

We placed the trust in special measures for financial reasons in October 2016 because of a significant deterioration from its financial plan for 2016/17. Placing trusts into special measures for financial reasons gives them access to intense support to regain financial control and deliver sustainable financial recovery. As part of this support, we appointed a dedicated team to work with the trust.

Since October 2016, the trust has shown improved financial leadership, governance and control of its finances. It also delivered the 2017/18 financial target (control total) and is currently on track to meet its financial target for this financial year. The trust is now developing a longer-term financial plan to reduce its deficit further and will remain subject to formal regulatory oversight from us while it completes this.

The trust remains in special measures for quality following the Care Quality Commission’s inspection report in August 2016 and until the Chief Inspector of Hospitals recommends they no longer meet the criteria for quality special measures.

‘Under the stewardship of Mike Viggers, Marianne Griffiths and the wider leadership team, the trust has made significant progress.

‘This represents a major effort from them as well as staff across the trust but there remains more to do. The trust must now develop a longer-term financial plan that reduces its deficit and at the same time remain focused on improving the quality of its services.

‘There is strong evidence to show high quality care and financial grip go hand in hand and the trust must ensure improvements in financial management are maintained while continuing to improve the quality and safety of services for local patients.

Stephen Hay, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Regulation, NHS Improvement