News / Trusts given ALE boost

NHS trusts rated as performing well or strongly in any of the Auditors’ Local Evaluation themes in 2008/09 will not be assessed in that theme in 2009/10, Audit Commission chairman Michael O’Higgins (Pictured above) said.

‘Those trusts that score a three or four in 2008/09 in any individual theme in ALE will be free from assessment in the following year in that theme. This is provided there are no indications there are significant problems, such as their financial performance not being in line with plan. This reflects our greater confidence in financial management in the NHS,’ he said.

Mr O’Higgins also looked to the future, predicting that in 10 years the NHS would have world class financial management in the majority of organisations. This could be supported by a revolution in information gathering. ‘Real-time information could be beneficial to NHS organisations. If I were a trust finance director I would want information as soon as possible. If we are losing revenue from payment by results I don’t want to wait until the end of the quarter [to find out],’ he added.

The NHS would be increasingly focused on the patient experience and there would be changes in payment boundaries. These had already shifted following the announcement on top-up payments and he said the spotlight could shift to the boundary between health and social care.