Technical review - October 2019

Audit was highlighted as the key concern in the 2018/19 accounts process, according to the HFMA’s fourth sector-wide year-end survey. About one third of respondents said the audit process was worse than the previous year, with a further 10% saying it was about the same, but that this was a problem. There were two main issues. The first was the timeliness of audit work, which resulted in later audit queries and delays to the sign-off of the audit. The second issue was the experience of the audit team, with more junior staff with less specific NHS expertise. Looking ahead, NHS bodies are concerned about the application of IFRS 16 to the public sector in 2020/21.



NHS Improvement has reminded trusts to integrate the GOV.UK Pay platform with existing merchant services, asking them to encourage treasury and finance teams to do the same. It said the online payment platform offers a simple, secure and compliant way to take and manage online payments from service users. The platform also offered support in recovering costs from overseas visitors who are not eligible for free NHS care.

The HFMA’s popular NHS corporate governance map has been further updated, adding new links to items including guidance on strategic planning, system governance and workforce. The map is aimed at NHS boards, governing bodies, audit committees and staff with an interest in governance. It highlights published resources that support the development and maintenance of effective governance arrangements and is split into four sections: strategic framework; enabling good governance; specific areas for assurance; and devolved nations.

 

The National Audit Office has invited finance staff to take part in a survey that asks for views on the NAO and what its priorities should be. It touches on a range of areas, such as which long-term risks to value for money should be examined and how it manages relationships. The survey, which the auditor said should take five minutes, is anonymous and has been launched in the wake of the arrival of new comptroller and auditor general Gareth Davies.

All acute trusts submitted patient-level data as part of the first mandated national cost collection, NHS Improvement said in September. With the collection closed, analysis of the submissions was underway in preparation for resubmissions from some providers. Trusts have also been invited to get involved in the voluntary education and training costs collection for 2018/19, with 33 trusts having expressed an interest so far.

The HFMA published two briefings in September as part of its series looking at how services delivered in the community add value to both the patient and the wider health and care economy. The value of community services: helping people stay healthy, happy and independent focuses on the role that community services play in preventing illness or reducing exacerbations. The final briefing in the series of three – The value of community services: enabling system working ­– looks at how community services can enable and support system-wide working.